Arthur Tevanian
His life was filled with service to others
Arthur Tevanian, 92, of Livingston, N.J., passed away at home after a period of declining health on Monday, April 15, 2019. His devoted daughter was by his side.
Visitation will be held Friday, April 19, from 4 to 8 p.m. at Quinn-Hopping Funeral Home, 145 E. Mt. Pleasant Ave., Livingston, N.J. The funeral service will take place at the funeral home during the visitation at 5:30 p.m. There will be a private cremation with the interment of cremated remains in Portland, Maine, at a later date.
Arthur was born on Dec. 12, 1926, in Portland, Maine, to Krikor and Novart Tevanian, who came to the U.S. as Armenian refugees. He left high school to enlist in the Navy during World War II, later returning to earn his diploma from Portland High School. He earned a degree in business from the University of Maine, where he was in the Army ROTC. He then served in the Korean War during which he was awarded a Bronze Star for valor.
He married Sylvia Mardigan in 1957, and his work brought them from Maine to Connecticut and then Livingston. She predeceased him in 1976 when their children were teenagers. He worked for the W.T. Grant Co. for more than 20 years and later was co-owner of two beauty salons and a graphics arts business.
Arthur's life was filled with service to others. From helping his widowed mother run a small convenience store in Portland when he was young, to serving his country in two wars, to raising his children as a loving and dedicated single parent, he looked to take care of others first.
In his retirement, he continued his service for several decades as a volunteer with Saint Barnabas Medical Center. He was also involved in the Old Guard, the JCC and the Elks. He was active in St. Mary Armenian Apostolic Church for 50 years, including as a member of the Parish Council.
His greatest of joys were the moments spent with his two grandsons. He helped care for them when they were young, attended all of their sporting events and was very proud of the young men they had become.
Arthur is survived by his daughter, Elisabeth, and her husband, Evan Miles, his grandsons, Evan and Austin, all of Livingston, and his sister, Patricia Tevanian of Portland, Maine. He was preceded in death by his wife, Sylvia, and son, Jeffery, his brother, Casper and his wife, Ida, his brother, William, and his sister, Agnes.
The family would like to express their heartfelt gratitude to friends and family for their love and support.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Arthur's name to the St. Mary Armenian Apostolic Church Endowment Fund, 200 W. Mt. Pleasant Ave., Livingston, N.J. 07039, would be greatly appreciated.