Alec M. Abrahamian, 1928 – 2016
Alec was born to Aramaiis and Victoria Melik Abrahamians on the 5th of October, 1928 in Tehran, Iran.
He attended and graduated from Alborz High School. In 1948 he departed to Loughborough England to pursue graduate studies, where he obtained a degree in Electrical Engineering. While there, he attended physical education training and gained expertise in sports sciences and training. He was a weight-lifter.
Upon graduation he returned to Iran and started working at the National Iranian Oil Company in Khuzestan, where, due to his competence and hard work, he was quickly promoted to the position of head maintenance manager of the pipeline. This was a very responsible position, which he handled without flaw.
On April 15, 1953 he married Emma and the couple was blessed with two sons: Terry and Harry, and a daughter: Nanaz. Later on the family expanded when Terry married Anita and they had two children: Alex and Nicole, and Harry married Roubina, and had two children: Anthony and Stephanie.
Alec was an insatiable learner. Besides his major he studied and became proficient in “central air and heat”, “management” and “economics”. In 1959, as a result of his honesty, expertise and dedication, while working at National Iranian Oil Company, he was awarded a medal of honor by the Shah of Iran.
In 1969 he accepted a new position and in a few years became the head of NIOC’s pipeline engineering department. In 1975 he was appointed as the manager of Pipeline Operations: reporting directly to the NIOC Board of Directors, a very responsible position, particularly during the Islamic revolutionary movement. In this sensitive position he maneuvered through different obstacles and even after revolution, due to his honesty, knowledge, skills and humanity, unlike all other high ranking managers, he was reinstated in this position by the new revolutionary government.
As he was eager to convey all his expertise and knowledge to the younger generation, he joined Armenian Cultural Ararat Organization in Tehran and started working with scouts and athletes. In 1967 through 1969 he was the treasurer of the central board of directors of this organization. Later on when the Ararat Stadium was being built, Alec was a major contributor in voluntarily designing and supervising the installation of the entire electrical system.
In 1980, after the Iranian revolution, he was assigned to Iranian Oil Services in London, England as technical director. Later on he decided to leave and start his own company in London.
After staying in London for ten years and based on doctor’s advice, Alec and Emma moved to Los Angeles in 1990. Alec was happy about this move; he started working at American General Group of Companies where he continued to work till last days of his life.
He highly valued education; therefore, he provided scholarships to students both in Iran and Armenia. He did all this discreetly and never talked about it. He was very knowledgeable in different subject matters and was an avid reader.
Alec was passionate about travel and always enjoyed his family’s company during these trips. Before his many adventures he would carefully study the historical and ethnic backgrounds of each country and make every trip a learning experience. No exception was his six month excursion of Republic of Armenia and later on Western Armenia.
Having lived a full, prosperous and happy life Alec succumbed to cancer and closed his eyes for ever on July 19, 2016.
Source: Asbarez
Link: In Memoriam: Alek Melik Abrahamian
