Martin Dabagyan

Martin was born on 3/9/1952 in Yerevan, Armenia to Norair and Astgik Dabagyan. His father was a World War II veteran, and his mother was a homemaker. Martin was the youngest of 6 siblings and grew up in a small house in one of the older neighborhoods in the center of the city. His uncles, aunts and cousins lived next door and shared a common courtyard, where many extended family gatherings were held during the holidays and weekends and everyone knew each other.

Martin’s family valued hard work and education – two of the older siblings, Nina and Lena started working at a young age and supported their parents raise a big family. Zina had a degree in childhood education; Harout was an engineer and Zabella a pediatrician. Martin followed in the footsteps of his siblings and studied Engineering, graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from Yerevan Polytechnic Institute in 1974.

During high school and college, Martin became interested in art, music and literature. He also took up fencing and competed in Armenia and former USSR level youth competitions.

Martin shared his interests and curiosity about existentialism with his circle of friends. Together, they listened to music, attended plays and art exhibitions, and spent long hours talking and exchanging ideas. He was a charming conversationalist who could hold his own on almost any topic.

He met his ex-wife in his last year of college working with the same advisor on the final project for his degree. They got married in 1976 and welcomed a daughter, Esther in 1977. Martin was a helpful father, loved his daughter and tried to pass down his family values to her. He spent time reading, listening to music, doing school projects and playing with her. He instilled the love of music, art, science and science fiction that Esther carries with her through her life.

He also loved his niece and nephews and spent time tutoring and playing with them; spending time with his siblings’ families until he left Armenia for United States in 1987.

He worked for a research institute that designed automated systems for textile manufacturing until he migrated to the United States, where he worked in the engineering and manufacturing field, for multiple companies, including Ronan Engineering and Kodak.

After he and his wife separated and divorced, he continued to support his daughter through high school, bought her first car, encouraged and provided financial support during her college years.

Martin was a handyman, could fix just about anything and enjoyed building things. He was a hard worker, and all his employees appreciated his integrity and work ethic. He worked most of his adult life after getting his college degree until he was close to 70.

After contracting Covid in 2021, followed by pneumonia, sepsis, stroke, cognitive and heart issues, Martin spent months in the hospital, then in a skilled nursing and assisted living facility for over a year.

Martin returned to his apartment the following year because he wanted to live independently, but his health challenges continued and he needed ongoing support. His daughter, Esther, managed his care throughout his illness, hospital stays, and time in care facilities. She also coordinated his move back home, managed his affairs, and arranged the support and medical care he needed to remain in his apartment and live as independently as possible, as was his wish. Sadly, in the last years of his life, Martin’s health continued to decline.

Martin is survived by his daughter Esther, his brother Harout, his sister Zabella, his nephews Gourgen, Karen, Edgar, Emil and niece Naira. All of his relatives with exception of his daughter reside in Armenia.

Those who loved Martin, and those who knew him in his brighter days, will remember his sincere intentions, his kindness, and the complexity of a soul that carried both strength and struggle.