John Ahigian, Founder of “You-do-It,” Electronics, aged 94
John Ahigian, passed away quietly on December 28, 2022 surrounded by his family. John was born June 29, 1928. He grew up working long hours at his father’s corner grocery store in Boston’s South End.
He graduated from the English High School in Boston as did his brothers Donald and Macy. He excelled at baseball, basketball and football.
His ambition in his 1946 high school yearbook says he wanted to become a pro baseball ball player. Instead he began a life-long profession as a passionate and savvy businessman in the growing electronics industry.
However before starting his career he did a stint in the Marines. John was one of the last 30 Marines to leave Peiping (now Beijing, China) in May of 1947. His detachment was guarding the American legation at the height of the Chinese civil war as the Communists gained power. The Marines including John were fortunate to stay one step ahead of the Communists. John and the “China Marines,” were highlighted in a book by Bill Hook , “Liberating North China—1945.”
In 1949 he started Clarendon Radio and TV Sales and Service also in the South End. In those days technicians still made house calls, and John was constantly on the road in his VW microbus supplying businesses with tube testers, new tubes and making home electronic equipment repairs. TVs had become commonplace then.
In 1950 he married his beloved wife Margaret of 72 years and started his family---three sons and one daughter. In 1953 he moved to Westwood and was a manager in the Westwood Little League as his children grew up. He relished teaching his young players the finer points of baseball and sportsmanship. He also enjoyed family vacations.
Anxious to grow, the visionary businessman in him said it was time to expand his South End-based operations.
In 1965 he opened “You-do-it” Electronics Center in Needham one of the most unique electronics stores in the nation. It filled the needs for electronic enthusiasts everywhere. It also benefitted by being smartly placed on the Rte. 128, the nation’s first high-tech corridor which attracted engineers and tinkerers. Business boomed and in 1978 a second floor was added to become the building it is today.
“You-do-it” thrived because whether you were a hobbyist or a major corporation the store had just about any electronic part you could think of. Its success helped the company move into consumer products and now offers cutting-edge electronic products. Another secret to the store’s success is that since its founding a generation of Ahigians, children and grandchildren and relatives have worked there giving it a personal, family touch appreciated by customers.
But even into his 90’s John Ahigian continued to keep his hands and heart in the business he worked so hard to build.
John is survived by wife Margaret (Dakesian) Ahigian. Devoted father of John Ahigian and his wife Iva, Jayne Andonian and her husband Kaspar, Jim Ahigian and his wife Doreen, and the late Richard Ahigian. Father-in-law of Janet Ahigian.
Cherished grandfather of Melissa and her husband Nick, Richie and his wife Megan, John H and his wife Allie, Matt, Deanna, J.J., John A, Aram, Derin, and Armen. Adored great grandfather of Lucas, Olivia, Richie, Alex, Katie, and Eva. Also survived by many loving nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to Saint James Armenian Church, 465 Mount Auburn Street, Watertown, MA 02472 or Saint Stephen’s Armenian Church, 38 Elton Avenue, Watertown, MA 02472 or The Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation, 909 N. Washington St. Suite 400, Alexandria, VA 22314 or the English High School Alumni Association, 990 Washington St. Suite 200, Dedham, MA 02026.
Burial was at the V.A. National Cemetery in Bourne, MA. A Celebration of Life Memorial Service will be held on May 7.