It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Anushavan Pogossian at the age of 89. Anushavan Pogossian passed away peacefully on October 20th, surrounded by his loved ones, after a brief but courageous battle with leukemia.
The family would like to welcome all to the Hogehangist - Requiem service at 11 am, as well as to the Luncheon Reception (Hoke-Chash) following the St. Kevork Church Service at approximately 1:00 pm, on Sunday, December 8th, 2024.
In Loving Memory of Anushavan Pogossian
December 25, 1934 – October 20, 2024
Born on December 25, 1934, in the small village of Barsum, nestled in the mountains east of Lake Sevan and west of the Kura River, Anushavan was the third child of Harutun and Haykanush Pogossian. Barsum was not only his birthplace but the homeland of at least three generations of the Pogossian family.
When Anushavan was nearly seven, he began school, but his childhood was soon overshadowed by the outbreak of World War II. His father, Harutun, was drafted into the Soviet Army and tragically lost his life in the war. At the tender age of eight, Anushavan and his siblings were left half-orphaned. They were lovingly raised by their widowed mother, Haykanush, with the guidance and support of their grandfather.
After completing his education in 1953, Anushavan enlisted in the Soviet Army, serving near the Azov Sea for three years. It was during this time that he discovered a passion for music. Within a month, he learned to play the clarinet and became a member of the Soviet Army Orchestra. His exceptional talent earned him an offer for a permanent position in the orchestra, but his commitment to his family led him back to Barsum, where he moved his mother to Yerevan in search of a brighter future.
In Yerevan, Anushavan worked tirelessly, first as a line worker in a chemical polymer factory and later as a head operator at the Natural Gas Company. Despite his long workdays, he attended evening college courses, seeking to combine his love of science and creativity. His journey eventually led him to jewelry making, a craft he adored. Starting as an apprentice and later becoming a master jeweler at the Yerevan Jewelry Factory, Anushavan poured his dedication, passion, and sense of responsibility into his work.
In 1973, Anushavan met Larisa, the love of his life. They married in 1974 and relocated to Kislovodsk, Russia, where they welcomed three daughters: Gayane, Stella, and Angela. In Kislovodsk, Anushavan embraced a new chapter, reconnecting with extended family, building a home, planting fruit trees, and forging lifelong friendships. He looked forward to a peaceful retirement, but history had other plans.
The collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991 forced Anushavan to make yet another life-changing decision. In 1994, at nearly 60 years old, he immigrated to the United States, seeking better opportunities for his family. After brief stays in Alexandria, Louisiana, and Houston, Texas, he settled in Los Angeles in 1995, resuming his career as a jeweler.
Anushavan’s determination to learn and grow never waned. Despite working long hours in Los Angeles' bustling jewelry district, he attended evening ESL classes to improve his English. While he may not have spoken the language fluently, his ability to learn a fourth language at age 60 was a testament to his resilience and adaptability.
He retired at 75 but remained active and full of energy. In 2006, he moved to Portland, Oregon, to live with his daughter’s family, where he spent his later years. Anushavan found joy in physical labor, long hikes in nature, gardening, playing and listening to music, and preparing simple meals that reminded him of his childhood.
Anushavan’s life was defined by kindness, resilience, and an enduring love for life. From his humble beginnings in Barsum to his journey across continents, he faced countless adversities yet continued to build, create, and plant trees along the way—both literally and figuratively.
Anushavan Pogossian lived a long and fulfilling life, leaving behind a legacy of hard work, creativity, and boundless love. He will be deeply missed by his children, grandchildren, and all who were fortunate to know him.
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The Armenian Community in Oregon and SW Washington is a small one, but the costs of running a church and community center are high. Our church can only thrive with the contributions of all.
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