Varouj Koundakjian
The Armenian Revolutionary Federation Western US Central Committee, on July 15, announced the passing of one of the organization’s leaders, who played a key role in the development of our national community institutions and a devoted ARF member, Unger Varoujan Koundakjian who passed away on Friday, July 14.
During Koundakjian’s funeral service on July 21 at St. Mary’s Armenian Apostolic Church in Glendale, Very Rev. Viken Vassilian presented Koundakjian’s biography and remembered him for his dedicated service to the community and the Armenian homeland.
Below is the English translated text of the presentation.
Varoujan Koundakjian was born on April 24, 1934 in Beirut, Lebanon to Vartan and Ovsanna Koundakjian, both survivors of the Armenian Genocide.
Vartan escaped the Genocide from Antioch, while Ovsanna Soghomonian escaped from Kessab ending up in Beirut, Lebanon via Greece. They met in Beirut, where they married in 1929 and had three children, Arpine, Alexan and Varoujan.
At a young age, Varoujan moved to Damascus with his parents, and lived there until 1946. There he attended the United School until fourth grade and became a cub scout in Homenetmen, until the age of 12.
In 1946, Varoujan and his family returned to Beirut, where he immediately began working, getting his start in the business world at a very young age. He began as a retailer and soon burnished his business prowess becoming an expert in textiles. From 1960 to 1962, Varoujan managed his brother Alexan’s talor shop where their sister also worked as a seamstress.
From a young age in Beirut, Varoujan immersed himself in community life, joining Homenetmen as a scout and as a member of the Kessab Educational Association. He then joined the renowned Hamazkayin Kaspar Ipegian Theater Company, taking on a variety of roles in a number of plays, enjoying the theater and reveling in the cultural and social life that came with it.
Varoujan was an active part of Beirut’s social, cultural and political reality. He engaged in social services and organized fund-raisers, always becoming an example to donors. He played an integral role in the “Plate of Foodâ€
