John Apkarian, Jr., 85, of Methuen died on Sunday July 11, 2010 at Lawrence General Hospital. John was born and raised in Methuen and has lived in Methuen all of his life. He was a graduate of Edward F. Searles High School and Bridgeton Academy, Bridgeton, Maine. During his high school years, he was captain of the Methuen football team and was inducted into the Methuen Sports Hall of Fame. John served with General Patton's 3rd Army during WW II in The Battle of The Bulge and was the recipient of The Purple Heart. He worked for over 30 years as a letter carrier with The US Postal Service in Lawrence. He also served as president of the letter carriers credit union. He was a longtime active member of First Church Congregational, Methuen where he also served as a church deacon for many years. He was a high school umpire and football referee for many years.
His family members include, his wife of 60 years, Rose Ann (Yagoobian) Apkarian of Methuen and his children, Deborah E. and her husband, Robert H. Barry of Chelmsford, MA, David J. and his wife, Nancy L. Apkarian of Methuen and John D. and his wife, Patty M. Apkarian of Methuen and his sister, Elizabeth Menassian of Methuen. He leaves 8 grandchildren, 9 great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews and was pre-deceased by his brother, Oscar Apkarian and sister, Isabelle Ashodian.
Calling hours will be on Wednesday, July 14, 2010 from 4 to 8 pm at The Charles F. Dewhirst Funeral Home, 80 Broadway, Methuen. Funeral services will be on Thursday July 15 at 10:00 am in First Church Congregational, 26 Pleasant St, Methuen. The burial will be in Bellevue Cemetery, Lawrence. Memorial contributions may be made to the Organ Fund of First Church Congregational, 26 Pleasant St., Methuen, Ma. 01844 or to The National Kidney Foundation, 85 Vernon St., Norwood, MA., 02062-2103.