Nazareth Sinanian and his twin sister Elizabeth came into this world on September 16, 1925. Their older siblings Marcy, Ara and Grace were there to greet them in the Brooklyn, New York home of their immigrant parents, Nazaret and Kayene.
Nazareth’s grandfather Bedros was not born a Sinanian, but married into the family, taking the name so that the maiden name of his wife would continue. The Sinanian and Zoraian families knew each other back in Sepastia, Armenia, and both had emigrated to America to avoid the Turkish oppression of the early 20th century. Nazareth’s father and mother, Nazaret and Kayene (Zoraian) were married in Manhattan in 1914.
Nazareth graduated from East New York Technical High School, and proudly served as a Technical Sergeant in the 770th Bombardment Squadron, 462nd Bombardment Group of the United States Army Air Corps from November 1943 through his honorable discharge in December 1945. He took on the name Jim during that time, as he flew as Central Fire Control on a B-29 in the Pacific Tinnian Islands during WWII. He was awarded several medals, including the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Air Medal.
Jim met his wife Violet (nee Manooshag DerMesrobian) at an Armenian Church Dance in Manhattan, on Valentine’s Day at which time she took his hand and never let go. They were married in the Armenian church on 27th street on November 30, 1947.
Violet’s father and mother were born in Chermoog, Armenia and Alexandria, Egypt, respectively. Aram DerMesrobian and his brother had fled Armenia after finding their parents and sisters massacred by Turkish terrorists. Dickranouhi Yeremian’s family knew the DerMesrobian’s and took them in. In 1921, Dickranouhi and Aram were married in Alexandria, settling in Lawrence, Massachusetts.
Jim and Violet raised two daughters, Stephanie and Catherine in Brooklyn, New York. Jim worked as an electronics engineer for many years at Republic Aviation Corporation in Farmingdale, Long Island. One of the projects he participated in was to send a probe to the sun. Jim also started his own company, Vitone Sound Corporation, and was successful in selling his amplifiers to musicians before he worked for Crazy Eddie and Sears.
Stephanie married Manuel Rollizo. Nazareth’s two grandchildren, Amanda and Nicholas, loved their grandfather and were able to listen to his stories about the war and growing up in Brooklyn. Amanda and her fiancé Michael made a tradition of taking Jim out on Veteran’s Day for pancakes. Catherine married Robert Blue.
A few months ago, Jim was interviewed for a movie “Apocalypse ‘45” which was just released. His voice can be heard as one of the dozen veterans the producers were able to contact for their first-hand experiences during WWII.
Jim and Violet moved to Staten Island about 25 years ago, getting a 30 year mortgage at the age of 70. He almost got to see it paid off. Jim celebrated his 95th birthday a few days before he left this world, with a haircut and a jelly donut.
For anyone wishing to make a donation in memory of Nazareth "Jim" Sinanian, we have reached out to the "Commemorative Air Force," who were so kind and respectful to us last year when we visited their restored B29, "Fifi." It was a special day for all of us, and we will always remember.
Donations can be made through the Fifi website at https://www.cafb29b24.org/
They have links there to two current fund-raising campaigns, "Books for Bombers" and "B-24 Diamond Lil Sneakers"
There's no need to actually buy books or sneakers. Either link will allow for just a cash donation of any amount to be made.
They suggest using the 'Books for Bombers" link.
As part of the process the donor will be asked "Where did you hear about this campaign?"
The donor should select Other:, and in the space provided enter "Jim Sinanian"
In that way they can keep track of the donor and send a Thank You acknowledgment, as well as make sure all such donations are specifically directed to maintenance of the B-29 in dad's memory.
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