John "Ohan" Bozkurtian

Ohan was born and raised in Aleppo, Syria, where he learned to speak 4 languages. At the age of 18, upon the death of his father, he left school, and together with his older brother took over the family business in order to support his mother and two sisters.

When Ohan was 25 he came to America with a few dollars in his pocket. He worked tirelessly and eventually was able to establish a successful export business in Brooklyn, NY, which led him to extensive travels throughout Europe, the Middle East and Southeast Asia. Ohan was hard-working, generous, honest and kind-hearted. He always tried to help family and friends and was very proud of his children and grandchildren.

Ohan and his wife, Medy, met in Beirut, Lebanon, and after a brief courtship were married and lived in Astoria, NY where their two children, Sandra and David, were born. The family moved to Whitestone, NY upon the completion of their new home that Ohan helped design, and lived there for 32 years. Ohan was an avid cook and enjoyed entertaining family and friends in Whitestone, NY, as well as at their home in Lake Mahopac, NY.

In 1998 Ohan and Medy moved to East Hanover, NJ where he became a member of St. Mary Armenian Church. He played multiple instruments and at times, following services, he enjoyed playing the piano in the church hall. One day he said, “the church needs a proper piano”, so he donated a beautiful baby grand piano which now sits in the renovated church hall and is used for recitals and other events.

Ohan was surrounded by his wife, children and grandchildren on his last day. His advice to them was: “Love each other, take care of each other and always remember your family”.

He will be forever in the hearts of his loved ones. May he rest in peace.

He is survived by his beloved wife Medy Bozkutian; loving children Sandra Manning and her husband Joseph, and David Bozkurtian and his wife Elizabeth; cherished grandchildren Kelsey, Shelby, and Christopher Manning, and Kaylah and Micah Bozkurtian; dear sister Vartouhy Topalian, and sister-in-law Astrid Bozkurtian; and many loving nieces and nephews. John was predeceased by his brother-in-law Jon Topalian, his brother Jerry Bozkurtian, and his sister Arpine Momjian and her husband Sarkis.

Visitation will be held Friday, May 18, from 4 - 7 PM at Quinn-Hopping Funeral Home, 145 E. Mt. Pleasant Ave., Livingston, NJ. The funeral service will be Saturday, May 19, 10AM at St. Mary’s Armenian Apostolic Church, 200 W. Mt. Pleasant Ave., Livingston, NJ. Interment to follow at Gate of Heaven Cemetery, East Hanover, NJ.

In lieu of flowers donations in John's name to the Armenian Nursing & Rehabilitation Center, 70 Main St, Emerson, NJ 07630, would be greatly appreciated.