Mr. Richard Pekmezian

1969                                        1974                                         1982  

June 8, 1933 - January 7, 2012

On June 8, 1933, Richard Kaghart Pekmezian was born to Hachig and Zabelle Pekmezian who had come to the States from Sophia and Varna, Bulgaria for a better life. With much pride, love and care, they raised their lone child in the Bronx where they enjoyed the pleasure of simple gatherings with food, music, friends and family. 

Dick Pekmezian was the first in the family to graduate high school and college including an undergraduate degree from NYU and a Masters degree from William Paterson College. He chose a career in education and for over 40 years was a valued member of the Paramus school systems child study team. He was a pioneer in creating co-curricular programming for students with disabilities most notably a program of recreation and sport for students, many of whom were confined to wheel chairs or dealing with severe mental incapacity. Perhaps now these programs are common place. Not so in the 1960s. 

Dad was an athlete and a soccer player. Long before youth soccer exploded in the States, he was a part of the revolution of first and second generation Americans who brought the game to the States. Dad was a fixture with the Armenian team that played in the highly competitive ethnic leagues in the New York area. Dad shared his passion for the game of soccer and sport in general with his sons and now his 5 grandchildren are pursuing their athletic passions.

A gifted and talented musician and performer, he and his band played at some of the great venues with and among some of the legends of Middle Eastern music. He played Carnegie Hall, the Smithsonian, he played for Presidents having been invited to play at President Nixon's inaugural, Governors and other such leaders, dignitaries and royalty. He played all of the hot New York night club venues of the time. His band played many of the Armenian weddings and church functions from Boston to DC. 

Our father gave us the strongest sense of what it means to be a decent and considerate human being and a "family first" man. His wife, Tibby, and his children were his sole priority. Together with Tibby, and to the best of their abilities with what they knew and what was passed on to them, they upheld the tradition of providing a better life for their children, just as their parents did for them. 

A Renaissance man is "a person whose expertise spans a significant number of different subject areas." Dick Pekmezian was a father, husband, grandfather, uncle, college graduate, Masters degree recipient, educator, athlete and professional musician. He was a Renaissance man of great distinction and he is loved forever. Dad died peacefully on January 7 in the home he shared with son Richard and daughter-in-law Diane.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in celebration of the life of Richard K. Pekmezian to: St Stepanos Armenian Church, 1184 Ocean Ave., Elberon, NJ 07740.

https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/app/name/richard-pekmezian-obituary?id=22275422