DRACUT - Garabed "Charlie" Arslanian, 77, a longtime Dracut resident, died unexpectedly Thursday March 1st at Lowell General Hospital.
He was born in Lowell on December 7, 1929, and was a son of the late Bedros J. and Sara (Tarkizian) Arslanian.
Mr. Arslanian served his country for twenty years in the United States Coast Guard. He was a veteran of the Vietnam War and received the Bronze Star on suspension ribbon of National Defense Service Medal, A Second Bronze Star on suspension ribbon of Coast Guard Good Conduct Medal, and the Vietnam Service Medal.
Prior to his retirement, he was employed for twenty years as a mechanic and tow truck operator by the United States Postal Service in Lowell.
In his free time, he enjoyed attending his great niece and nephew's sporting events and attending the races at Rockingham Park in Salem, NH.
He was a member of the St. Vartanantz Armenian Apostolic Orthodox Church in Chelmsford. He was also a member of the American Legion Post #1 in St. Albans, Vermont.
He is survived by his beloved niece Denise C. Tierney and her husband Michael; his great niece and nephew Emily and Nicholas Tierney, all of Dracut; and many cousins.
He was also the brother of the late Zakar Arslanian and the late Butch Arslanian.
Friends may call at the DRACUT FUNERAL HOME, 2159 Lakeview Avenue, DRACUT, on Tuesday from 4 until 8pm. His funeral will be held from the funeral home on Wednesday at 9:30am, followed by his Funeral Service to be held at 11am, at the St. Vartanantz Armenian Apostolic Orthodox Church, 180 Old Westford Rd, Chelmsford, 01824. Burial in St. Mary Cemetery, Tewksbury. In lieu of flowers donations may be made in his name to the church.