James M. Tarzian

James Mugerditch Tarzian, 105, of Port Jefferson, NY passed on April 2, 2020. Predeceased by his wife, Anne (Semerjian) Tarzian; his siblings Anna, Harry, and Dorothy; he is survived by his children, James A. Tarzian (Susan) and Maryann Tarzian (Pat Britt), and grandchildren, Katherine, James, Caroline, John and Will. Private service and burial at Southampton Cemetery. Family requests in lieu of flowers, donations be sent to: Holy Cross Armenian Church, 318 27th Street, Union City, NJ 07087.

Born February 4, 1915 in Brooklyn, NY to Armenian immigrant parents, James and Biadzar, Jim attended James Madison High School. He worked for several years in the hardware business before enlisting in the Army. Trained as a sharpshooter, he was stationed in Greenland from 1941-45, and after the war, resumed working in the hardware business. In 1951, Jim and his brother Harry opened their own hardware store, H&J Tarzian Hardware, on Kings Highway, Brooklyn, which they successfully ran for nearly two decades.

Jim married his wife Anne in 1958, and within several years they moved to Port Jefferson where they raised a family. Jim took positions at Lawrence Aviation and Harbor Hills Country Club, while Anne became a teacher's assistant in the Port Jefferson school district. In his retirement years, Jim spent hours with his young grandchildren, forming long lasting bonds, and was proud to see them enter the workforce after college.

While living in the same house for fifty years, Jim became the community anchor, amazing his neighbors as he performed household and yard chores up until the age of 101. Several years after his wife's passing, he moved to Sunrise of East Setauket, and was still visited by his old Port Jeff neighbors.

Jim will be fondly remembered for his living history stories, his attention to detail, and his willingness to offer assistance. He will be missed by all those who came to know him.