Obituary for Noubar Karagulian
Noubar Karagulian was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on June 15, 1933 to Simon Karagulian and Isguhi (Tavoukjian or Havnoonian) Karagulian; he was the younger brother of Louis Karagulian, who preceeded Noubar in death. As a young boy, Noubar, led by his older brother Louis, attended St. Sahag and St. Mesrob Armenian Apostolic Church at 6006 Walnut Street, Philadelphia. Noubar attended Sunday School from 1939 to 1948 and began singing in the church choir in 1949. He graduated in 1950 from John Bartram High School in Philadelphia, and then worked at I.T.E. Circuit Breaker Company as a lab technician.
He served the U.S. Army during the Korean War from May 1953 to May 1955. After his military service, he returned to I.T.E. and completed a course in Metallurgy at Temple University Evening School. Noubar also became more active in his church, as well as in the Armenian Church Youth Organization of America, or A.C.Y.O.A. He continued to be involved in his church at its various locations: 63rd and Locust Street in Philadelphia and later when they moved to Wynnewood in 1962. He left I.T.E. in 1965, when he, his brother Louis, and partner Gabriel Kashishian opened and operated Perkins Pancake House in Cinnaminson, New Jersey until 1988.
After his retirement, Noubar continued to be actively involved in his church, giving of his time and devotion, from printing and collating the MER DOON (the church bulletin), to fixing electrical devices, and calling parish members in need. In 1986, Noubar was ordained a Sub-Deacon, and in 1994, a Deacon, training young altar servers. He served as both a member and Vice Chairman of the Parish Council, Joint Chairman of the Church Bazaar, supporter of A.C.Y.O.A. activities, and dedicated Choir Director for almost three decades. Noubar Karagulian gave over sixty years of dedicated service to St. Sahag and St. Mesrob Armenian Apostolic Church.
Noubar Karagulian was also active in community and cultural events. In 1960, he was a charter member and singer with the KNAR Armenian Choral Group, the first inter-communal choral organization in Philadelphia, with which he later served as president. For over 40 years, Noubar learned musical and choral directing skills from Maestro Arsen Sayan. He formed an Armenian Community Singers group, which included singers from all Philadelphia-area Armenian Churches, and they performed at various inter-communal events.
Noubar Karagulian treated friends and family with loving devotion, never hesitating to be there for anyone in need. His laughter and kind heart will always be remembered. Noubar Karagulian is celebrated and honored by his loving families, sister-in-law Siran Karagulian; nieces Lisa Carroll and her husband Craig, Tina Karagulian and her husband Paschal Booker, and Ardis Karagulian; great-nephews Walden Booker and Grant Carroll; and the George, Piligian, Altoonian, Havnoonian, and families. He is beloved by his many friends, whom he considered family. A viewing will take place at 9:30-11:30 A.M. and his funeral service will be 11:30 A.M. Saturday, October 6th at St. Sahag and St. Mesrob Armenian Apostolic Church, 630 Clothier Rd., Wynnewood, Pennsylvania. His interment will be at Arlington Cemetery, Drexel Hill, PA.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made directly to the church.