John Sirabian was my Uncle. His wife and my mother are sisters. He will be truly missed by all that knew him. He was a kind, caring and compassionate man who never had an unkind word to say about anyone! He had a heart of Gold and loved his family very much. Growing up I was at my aunt and uncles home all the time and was treated like one of their own. His eldest daughter Diane and I are 8 weeks apart in age. His passing has affected me very much. I will miss his smile and kind words. Kind words that were not only for me but for my husband and daughter as well. For those of you who knew my uncle please leave your thoughts and sympathies for his family in the guestbook my husband and I have provided on Legacy.com. The best way to get to the guestbook is via the obituary in the Fresno Bee. Thank You!
John Sirabian, loving family man, generous friend and diligent legal advocate, passed away suddenly at home in Fresno, on Saturday, April 11, 2009. John was born in Chicago, Illinois, on July 1, 1937, to Shavash and Rose Sirabian. He was 71. John earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration from Roosevelt University in Chicago, Illinois, in 1959. While in college he was an actor and performed in several theatrical productions. He was also a competitive boxer. Thereafter, from 1959 to 1965, John served his country honorably as a member of the United States Army and the California National Guard. John finished his military career as a non-commissioned training officer. In 1963, John was awarded a Master of Science in Administrative Management from Fresno State College. After receiving his M.S. Degree with emphasis in Accounting, John worked in various management positions, primarily for Longs Drugs. From 1973 to 1976, John served as corporate comptroller for Rodder's, a Fresno clothing retailer. While working in that challenging full time position, John also attended Humphreys College School of Law, earning a Juris Doctor Degree in 1975. After leaving Rodder's, John pursued a general law practice from 1977 to 1980. Beginning in 1981 and continuing for more than two decades, John was a very well known and respected member of the bankruptcy bar practicing before the Fresno Division of the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of California. John was among the early local pioneers in developing a practice handling individual debt repayment plans under Chapter 13 of the Bankruptcy Code. From 1991 to 1994, John served as an adjunct professor of law at Central California College School of Law. He was a founding member of the Central California Bankruptcy Association. That organization, which is comprised of judges, attorneys, accountants, bankers and bankruptcy trustees, recognized John on September 28, 2000, for his lifetime of achievement and service to the bankruptcy community. John was active in government affairs, frequently corresponding with elected officials on matters within his area of expertise. A staunch Republican, John was often recognized for his support of candidates for local, state and national office. John was a generous and loyal friend. He was well known for making himself available whenever his friends or family needed support or encouragement. He also fostered camaraderie by sponsoring a recreational softball team for several years. His rare integrity set good examples for his legal colleagues as well. He was also well known for always providing his clients with the best representation. Even more, John treated each and every one of his clients with the utmost respect at all times. He also expressed a deep and abiding concern for the welfare of his clients. It was not unusual for John to refund money to clients when he learned that it was needed to pay for food or other necessities of life. John was also well known for his passionate love of Frank Sinatra and his music. He possessed an extensive collection of Sinatra recordings and listened to them often. He loved to read and almost always had a book or magazine in his hand about cars, gangsters, sports or politics. He was also a huge fan of Chicago's pro sports teams: Cubs, Bulls and Bears. (not the White Sox, though). He deeply regretted that the Cubs never won a World Series in his lifetime. After battling Parkinson's disease for a number of years, John was forced to retire in 2001, but he found joy in spending time with his wife and children, playing with his grandchildren and listening to Frank Sinatra. John enjoyed going to Fresno Grizzlies games with his family. John loved his family very much and constantly taught them to have strength and confidence. He also enjoyed working alongside his daughter Diane at his law firm. He was a loving husband, father and grandfather. John worked extremely hard and taught his children the importance of loving your work. He also taught them to enjoy life and to be kind to others. Diane: "He was a very rare, special father and I felt very lucky to have him. It is going to be painful to be without him. He was my best friend, my rock. He made me laugh and kept my secrets. We had our own private jokes and would laugh together all the time. I will miss him every day. I'll miss his smile and sense of humor. My children will miss their Pepe (French for grandfather) whom they love so much. He always told us to be good to our mother. He loved her very much." John is preceded in death by his father, Shavash and mother Vartuhi (Rose); and brother Azad (Ozzie). John is survived by Josette, his loving wife of 44 years, whom he met in Fresno shortly after she arrived from France. She took such great care of him throughout his illness. They have two daughters, Diane Sirabian Messerlian and her husband Hrair, and their youngest daughter Debi Sirabian who was also a big help to her father during his illness. She took care of him with love and kindness. John was blessed with two grandchildren, Karina Rose Messerlian, age five and Gregory Hovagim John Messerlian, age three. Also surviving are cousins Annie Chiljian, Cathy Save de Beaurecueil, and Hardy Sirabian and their families. He is also survived by 14 brothers and sisters-in-law, and numerous nieces and nephews. Visitation will be held at Yost & Webb Funeral Home on Friday evening, April 17, 2009, from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. A Funeral Service will be held on Saturday, April 18, 2009, at St. Paul Armenian Church at 1:30 p.m. The church is located at 3767 N. First Street. http:--www.stpaulfresno.com-. A Cemetery service will follow. There will be a luncheon following at Pardini's on Shaw and Van Ness Extension. His family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research (www.michaeljfox.org); or The Charlie Keyan Armenian Community School, 108 N. Villa, Clovis, Ca. 90612.
John Sirabian, loving family man, generous friend and diligent legal advocate, passed away suddenly at home in Fresno, on Saturday, April 11, 2009. John was born in Chicago, Illinois, on July 1, 1937, to Shavash and Rose Sirabian. He was 71. John earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration from Roosevelt University in Chicago, Illinois, in 1959. While in college he was an actor and performed in several theatrical productions. He was also a competitive boxer. Thereafter, from 1959 to 1965, John served his country honorably as a member of the United States Army and the California National Guard. John finished his military career as a non-commissioned training officer. In 1963, John was awarded a Master of Science in Administrative Management from Fresno State College. After receiving his M.S. Degree with emphasis in Accounting, John worked in various management positions, primarily for Longs Drugs. From 1973 to 1976, John served as corporate comptroller for Rodder's, a Fresno clothing retailer. While working in that challenging full time position, John also attended Humphreys College School of Law, earning a Juris Doctor Degree in 1975. After leaving Rodder's, John pursued a general law practice from 1977 to 1980. Beginning in 1981 and continuing for more than two decades, John was a very well known and respected member of the bankruptcy bar practicing before the Fresno Division of the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of California. John was among the early local pioneers in developing a practice handling individual debt repayment plans under Chapter 13 of the Bankruptcy Code. From 1991 to 1994, John served as an adjunct professor of law at Central California College School of Law. He was a founding member of the Central California Bankruptcy Association. That organization, which is comprised of judges, attorneys, accountants, bankers and bankruptcy trustees, recognized John on September 28, 2000, for his lifetime of achievement and service to the bankruptcy community. John was active in government affairs, frequently corresponding with elected officials on matters within his area of expertise. A staunch Republican, John was often recognized for his support of candidates for local, state and national office. John was a generous and loyal friend. He was well known for making himself available whenever his friends or family needed support or encouragement. He also fostered camaraderie by sponsoring a recreational softball team for several years. His rare integrity set good examples for his legal colleagues as well. He was also well known for always providing his clients with the best representation. Even more, John treated each and every one of his clients with the utmost respect at all times. He also expressed a deep and abiding concern for the welfare of his clients. It was not unusual for John to refund money to clients when he learned that it was needed to pay for food or other necessities of life. John was also well known for his passionate love of Frank Sinatra and his music. He possessed an extensive collection of Sinatra recordings and listened to them often. He loved to read and almost always had a book or magazine in his hand about cars, gangsters, sports or politics. He was also a huge fan of Chicago's pro sports teams: Cubs, Bulls and Bears. (not the White Sox, though). He deeply regretted that the Cubs never won a World Series in his lifetime. After battling Parkinson's disease for a number of years, John was forced to retire in 2001, but he found joy in spending time with his wife and children, playing with his grandchildren and listening to Frank Sinatra. John enjoyed going to Fresno Grizzlies games with his family. John loved his family very much and constantly taught them to have strength and confidence. He also enjoyed working alongside his daughter Diane at his law firm. He was a loving husband, father and grandfather. John worked extremely hard and taught his children the importance of loving your work. He also taught them to enjoy life and to be kind to others. Diane: "He was a very rare, special father and I felt very lucky to have him. It is going to be painful to be without him. He was my best friend, my rock. He made me laugh and kept my secrets. We had our own private jokes and would laugh together all the time. I will miss him every day. I'll miss his smile and sense of humor. My children will miss their Pepe (French for grandfather) whom they love so much. He always told us to be good to our mother. He loved her very much." John is preceded in death by his father, Shavash and mother Vartuhi (Rose); and brother Azad (Ozzie). John is survived by Josette, his loving wife of 44 years, whom he met in Fresno shortly after she arrived from France. She took such great care of him throughout his illness. They have two daughters, Diane Sirabian Messerlian and her husband Hrair, and their youngest daughter Debi Sirabian who was also a big help to her father during his illness. She took care of him with love and kindness. John was blessed with two grandchildren, Karina Rose Messerlian, age five and Gregory Hovagim John Messerlian, age three. Also surviving are cousins Annie Chiljian, Cathy Save de Beaurecueil, and Hardy Sirabian and their families. He is also survived by 14 brothers and sisters-in-law, and numerous nieces and nephews. Visitation will be held at Yost & Webb Funeral Home on Friday evening, April 17, 2009, from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. A Funeral Service will be held on Saturday, April 18, 2009, at St. Paul Armenian Church at 1:30 p.m. The church is located at 3767 N. First Street. http:--www.stpaulfresno.com-. A Cemetery service will follow. There will be a luncheon following at Pardini's on Shaw and Van Ness Extension. His family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research (www.michaeljfox.org); or The Charlie Keyan Armenian Community School, 108 N. Villa, Clovis, Ca. 90612.
John Sirabian was my Uncle. His wife and my mother are sisters. He will be truly missed by all that knew him. He was a kind, caring and compassionate man who never had an unkind word to say about anyone! He had a heart of Gold and loved his family very much. Growing up I was at my aunt and uncles home all the time and was treated like one of their own. His eldest daughter Diane and I are 8 weeks apart in age. His passing has affected me very much. I will miss his smile and kind words. Kind words that were not only for me but for my husband and daughter as well. For those of you who knew my uncle please leave your thoughts and sympathies for his family in the guestbook my husband and I have provided on Legacy.com. The best way to get to the guestbook is via the obituary in the Fresno Bee. Thank You!
John Sirabian, loving family man, generous friend and diligent legal advocate, passed away suddenly at home in Fresno, on Saturday, April 11, 2009. John was born in Chicago, Illinois, on July 1, 1937, to Shavash and Rose Sirabian. He was 71. John earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration from Roosevelt University in Chicago, Illinois, in 1959. While in college he was an actor and performed in several theatrical productions. He was also a competitive boxer. Thereafter, from 1959 to 1965, John served his country honorably as a member of the United States Army and the California National Guard. John finished his military career as a non-commissioned training officer. In 1963, John was awarded a Master of Science in Administrative Management from Fresno State College. After receiving his M.S. Degree with emphasis in Accounting, John worked in various management positions, primarily for Longs Drugs. From 1973 to 1976, John served as corporate comptroller for Rodder's, a Fresno clothing retailer. While working in that challenging full time position, John also attended Humphreys College School of Law, earning a Juris Doctor Degree in 1975. After leaving Rodder's, John pursued a general law practice from 1977 to 1980. Beginning in 1981 and continuing for more than two decades, John was a very well known and respected member of the bankruptcy bar practicing before the Fresno Division of the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of California. John was among the early local pioneers in developing a practice handling individual debt repayment plans under Chapter 13 of the Bankruptcy Code. From 1991 to 1994, John served as an adjunct professor of law at Central California College School of Law. He was a founding member of the Central California Bankruptcy Association. That organization, which is comprised of judges, attorneys, accountants, bankers and bankruptcy trustees, recognized John on September 28, 2000, for his lifetime of achievement and service to the bankruptcy community. John was active in government affairs, frequently corresponding with elected officials on matters within his area of expertise. A staunch Republican, John was often recognized for his support of candidates for local, state and national office. John was a generous and loyal friend. He was well known for making himself available whenever his friends or family needed support or encouragement. He also fostered camaraderie by sponsoring a recreational softball team for several years. His rare integrity set good examples for his legal colleagues as well. He was also well known for always providing his clients with the best representation. Even more, John treated each and every one of his clients with the utmost respect at all times. He also expressed a deep and abiding concern for the welfare of his clients. It was not unusual for John to refund money to clients when he learned that it was needed to pay for food or other necessities of life. John was also well known for his passionate love of Frank Sinatra and his music. He possessed an extensive collection of Sinatra recordings and listened to them often. He loved to read and almost always had a book or magazine in his hand about cars, gangsters, sports or politics. He was also a huge fan of Chicago's pro sports teams: Cubs, Bulls and Bears. (not the White Sox, though). He deeply regretted that the Cubs never won a World Series in his lifetime. After battling Parkinson's disease for a number of years, John was forced to retire in 2001, but he found joy in spending time with his wife and children, playing with his grandchildren and listening to Frank Sinatra. John enjoyed going to Fresno Grizzlies games with his family. John loved his family very much and constantly taught them to have strength and confidence. He also enjoyed working alongside his daughter Diane at his law firm. He was a loving husband, father and grandfather. John worked extremely hard and taught his children the importance of loving your work. He also taught them to enjoy life and to be kind to others. Diane: "He was a very rare, special father and I felt very lucky to have him. It is going to be painful to be without him. He was my best friend, my rock. He made me laugh and kept my secrets. We had our own private jokes and would laugh together all the time. I will miss him every day. I'll miss his smile and sense of humor. My children will miss their Pepe (French for grandfather) whom they love so much. He always told us to be good to our mother. He loved her very much." John is preceded in death by his father, Shavash and mother Vartuhi (Rose); and brother Azad (Ozzie). John is survived by Josette, his loving wife of 44 years, whom he met in Fresno shortly after she arrived from France. She took such great care of him throughout his illness. They have two daughters, Diane Sirabian Messerlian and her husband Hrair, and their youngest daughter Debi Sirabian who was also a big help to her father during his illness. She took care of him with love and kindness. John was blessed with two grandchildren, Karina Rose Messerlian, age five and Gregory Hovagim John Messerlian, age three. Also surviving are cousins Annie Chiljian, Cathy Save de Beaurecueil, and Hardy Sirabian and their families. He is also survived by 14 brothers and sisters-in-law, and numerous nieces and nephews. Visitation will be held at Yost & Webb Funeral Home on Friday evening, April 17, 2009, from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. A Funeral Service will be held on Saturday, April 18, 2009, at St. Paul Armenian Church at 1:30 p.m. The church is located at 3767 N. First Street. http:--www.stpaulfresno.com-. A Cemetery service will follow. There will be a luncheon following at Pardini's on Shaw and Van Ness Extension. His family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research (www.michaeljfox.org); or The Charlie Keyan Armenian Community School, 108 N. Villa, Clovis, Ca. 90612.
John Sirabian, loving family man, generous friend and diligent legal advocate, passed away suddenly at home in Fresno, on Saturday, April 11, 2009. John was born in Chicago, Illinois, on July 1, 1937, to Shavash and Rose Sirabian. He was 71. John earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration from Roosevelt University in Chicago, Illinois, in 1959. While in college he was an actor and performed in several theatrical productions. He was also a competitive boxer. Thereafter, from 1959 to 1965, John served his country honorably as a member of the United States Army and the California National Guard. John finished his military career as a non-commissioned training officer. In 1963, John was awarded a Master of Science in Administrative Management from Fresno State College. After receiving his M.S. Degree with emphasis in Accounting, John worked in various management positions, primarily for Longs Drugs. From 1973 to 1976, John served as corporate comptroller for Rodder's, a Fresno clothing retailer. While working in that challenging full time position, John also attended Humphreys College School of Law, earning a Juris Doctor Degree in 1975. After leaving Rodder's, John pursued a general law practice from 1977 to 1980. Beginning in 1981 and continuing for more than two decades, John was a very well known and respected member of the bankruptcy bar practicing before the Fresno Division of the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of California. John was among the early local pioneers in developing a practice handling individual debt repayment plans under Chapter 13 of the Bankruptcy Code. From 1991 to 1994, John served as an adjunct professor of law at Central California College School of Law. He was a founding member of the Central California Bankruptcy Association. That organization, which is comprised of judges, attorneys, accountants, bankers and bankruptcy trustees, recognized John on September 28, 2000, for his lifetime of achievement and service to the bankruptcy community. John was active in government affairs, frequently corresponding with elected officials on matters within his area of expertise. A staunch Republican, John was often recognized for his support of candidates for local, state and national office. John was a generous and loyal friend. He was well known for making himself available whenever his friends or family needed support or encouragement. He also fostered camaraderie by sponsoring a recreational softball team for several years. His rare integrity set good examples for his legal colleagues as well. He was also well known for always providing his clients with the best representation. Even more, John treated each and every one of his clients with the utmost respect at all times. He also expressed a deep and abiding concern for the welfare of his clients. It was not unusual for John to refund money to clients when he learned that it was needed to pay for food or other necessities of life. John was also well known for his passionate love of Frank Sinatra and his music. He possessed an extensive collection of Sinatra recordings and listened to them often. He loved to read and almost always had a book or magazine in his hand about cars, gangsters, sports or politics. He was also a huge fan of Chicago's pro sports teams: Cubs, Bulls and Bears. (not the White Sox, though). He deeply regretted that the Cubs never won a World Series in his lifetime. After battling Parkinson's disease for a number of years, John was forced to retire in 2001, but he found joy in spending time with his wife and children, playing with his grandchildren and listening to Frank Sinatra. John enjoyed going to Fresno Grizzlies games with his family. John loved his family very much and constantly taught them to have strength and confidence. He also enjoyed working alongside his daughter Diane at his law firm. He was a loving husband, father and grandfather. John worked extremely hard and taught his children the importance of loving your work. He also taught them to enjoy life and to be kind to others. Diane: "He was a very rare, special father and I felt very lucky to have him. It is going to be painful to be without him. He was my best friend, my rock. He made me laugh and kept my secrets. We had our own private jokes and would laugh together all the time. I will miss him every day. I'll miss his smile and sense of humor. My children will miss their Pepe (French for grandfather) whom they love so much. He always told us to be good to our mother. He loved her very much." John is preceded in death by his father, Shavash and mother Vartuhi (Rose); and brother Azad (Ozzie). John is survived by Josette, his loving wife of 44 years, whom he met in Fresno shortly after she arrived from France. She took such great care of him throughout his illness. They have two daughters, Diane Sirabian Messerlian and her husband Hrair, and their youngest daughter Debi Sirabian who was also a big help to her father during his illness. She took care of him with love and kindness. John was blessed with two grandchildren, Karina Rose Messerlian, age five and Gregory Hovagim John Messerlian, age three. Also surviving are cousins Annie Chiljian, Cathy Save de Beaurecueil, and Hardy Sirabian and their families. He is also survived by 14 brothers and sisters-in-law, and numerous nieces and nephews. Visitation will be held at Yost & Webb Funeral Home on Friday evening, April 17, 2009, from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. A Funeral Service will be held on Saturday, April 18, 2009, at St. Paul Armenian Church at 1:30 p.m. The church is located at 3767 N. First Street. http:--www.stpaulfresno.com-. A Cemetery service will follow. There will be a luncheon following at Pardini's on Shaw and Van Ness Extension. His family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research (www.michaeljfox.org); or The Charlie Keyan Armenian Community School, 108 N. Villa, Clovis, Ca. 90612.
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
Explore more
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
