Nishan Ohanian, son of Ohan and Satenig Ohanian, was born August 14, 1923 in Methuen, Massachusetts and passed away June 28, 2009 in Massachusetts with his family around him.
After graduating from Edward F. Searles High School, Class of 1940, Nishan joined the U.S. Air Force where he served from 1941-1945 during World War II. He was stationed at Deenthorpe, England in the 401st Bomb Group, 613th Squadron as a waist gunner on a B-17 bomber called the “Pistol Packin’ Mama.” Having completed 28 missions over Germany, he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Air Medal with several oak clusters. He was a Staff Sergeant. After the war, he came back to Methuen and married Grace Akmakjian, a long time neighbor and friend. Their marriage lasted 63 years, until his death.
In 1955 he and his family moved to California where he lived for 37 years. He was the vice president of a bank, managed Little League Baseball teams, was a member of several service clubs, and was a parishioner of St. Peter Church in Van Nuys where he was treasurer for many years.
He was an ardent golfer, loved to watch the Red Sox and Celtics. He was a member of Haboosi Union. He was a self-made horticulturist and planted many fruit trees and grew many kinds of vegetables. His flowers were of the finest qualities.
In 1990, he returned to New Hampshire where he was a parishioner at Holy Cross in Lawrence, Massachusetts at the church where he was married, and at the Armenian Apostolic in Haverhill, Massachusetts, and at Ararat Church in Salem, New Hampshire.
He leaves his beloved wife, Grace, his beloved children Carol Ellis, California, and Mark Ohanian, Florida. His cherished granddaughters Melissa Ellis and Katherine Ellis and his adopted dog, Frankie. His niece Patricia Edwards and nephew Michael Ohanian of Virginia. His cousins, Ann Garabedian and Ida Garabedian.
Calling hours will be held Wednesday, July 1 from 7-9 PM at the Douglas & Johnson Funeral Home, 214 Main Street, Salem, NH.
Funeral services will be Thursday, July 2 at 11 AM at St. Gregory the Illuminator Armenian Apostolic Church, Haverhill, MA. Burial will follow in Bellevue Cemetery, Lawrence, MA. Memorial contributions may be made to the Armenian Apostolic Church at Hye Pointe Building Fund, PO Box 8069, Ward Hill, MA 01835