Arman Keshishian, who has died aged 98, was Britain's last known survivor of the Armenian genocide of 1915. In 1991, at a ceremony establishing the London embassy of the new republic of Armenia, he was one of three community elders given the honour of handing to the ambassador the tricolour flag that now flies outside the building.
Born in Kayseri, Turkey, Keshishian was just 10 years old when he witnessed the genocide. Although most members of his extended family were killed, his immediate relatives survived, initially with the help of a friendly Turk, and then by bribing officials with gold and jewellery. Taking a circuitous route, they reached France, where he stayed until the early 1930s, after which he went to Cyprus. There, he married and started his family.
Keshishian moved to London in the early 1960s, and dealt in property leases before building up a carpet-merchandising company. He retired seven years ago.
He was a trustee of St Sarkis Church, Kensington, and of the Armenian community and church council, on whose behalf he often attended the annual April 24 genocide remembrance day programmes. Until his health began to fail, he attended church every Sunday, serving at the door.
In 1992, Keshishian was honoured by His Holiness, Vasken I, Catholicos of All Armenians, for his service to the church and the community, and given the Most Excellent Order of Nerses Shenorhali when he visited Etchmiadzin, the Holy See of the Armenian Church.
He is is survived by his son Garo and daughter Nadia.
Arman Keshishian, businessman, born July 20 1905; died January 20 2004
Born in Kayseri, Turkey, Keshishian was just 10 years old when he witnessed the genocide. Although most members of his extended family were killed, his immediate relatives survived, initially with the help of a friendly Turk, and then by bribing officials with gold and jewellery. Taking a circuitous route, they reached France, where he stayed until the early 1930s, after which he went to Cyprus. There, he married and started his family.
Keshishian moved to London in the early 1960s, and dealt in property leases before building up a carpet-merchandising company. He retired seven years ago.
He was a trustee of St Sarkis Church, Kensington, and of the Armenian community and church council, on whose behalf he often attended the annual April 24 genocide remembrance day programmes. Until his health began to fail, he attended church every Sunday, serving at the door.
In 1992, Keshishian was honoured by His Holiness, Vasken I, Catholicos of All Armenians, for his service to the church and the community, and given the Most Excellent Order of Nerses Shenorhali when he visited Etchmiadzin, the Holy See of the Armenian Church.
He is is survived by his son Garo and daughter Nadia.
Arman Keshishian, businessman, born July 20 1905; died January 20 2004
Arman Keshishian, who has died aged 98, was Britain's last known survivor of the Armenian genocide of 1915. In 1991, at a ceremony establishing the London embassy of the new republic of Armenia, he was one of three community elders given the honour of handing to the ambassador the tricolour flag that now flies outside the building.
Born in Kayseri, Turkey, Keshishian was just 10 years old when he witnessed the genocide. Although most members of his extended family were killed, his immediate relatives survived, initially with the help of a friendly Turk, and then by bribing officials with gold and jewellery. Taking a circuitous route, they reached France, where he stayed until the early 1930s, after which he went to Cyprus. There, he married and started his family.
Keshishian moved to London in the early 1960s, and dealt in property leases before building up a carpet-merchandising company. He retired seven years ago.
He was a trustee of St Sarkis Church, Kensington, and of the Armenian community and church council, on whose behalf he often attended the annual April 24 genocide remembrance day programmes. Until his health began to fail, he attended church every Sunday, serving at the door.
In 1992, Keshishian was honoured by His Holiness, Vasken I, Catholicos of All Armenians, for his service to the church and the community, and given the Most Excellent Order of Nerses Shenorhali when he visited Etchmiadzin, the Holy See of the Armenian Church.
He is is survived by his son Garo and daughter Nadia.
Arman Keshishian, businessman, born July 20 1905; died January 20 2004
Born in Kayseri, Turkey, Keshishian was just 10 years old when he witnessed the genocide. Although most members of his extended family were killed, his immediate relatives survived, initially with the help of a friendly Turk, and then by bribing officials with gold and jewellery. Taking a circuitous route, they reached France, where he stayed until the early 1930s, after which he went to Cyprus. There, he married and started his family.
Keshishian moved to London in the early 1960s, and dealt in property leases before building up a carpet-merchandising company. He retired seven years ago.
He was a trustee of St Sarkis Church, Kensington, and of the Armenian community and church council, on whose behalf he often attended the annual April 24 genocide remembrance day programmes. Until his health began to fail, he attended church every Sunday, serving at the door.
In 1992, Keshishian was honoured by His Holiness, Vasken I, Catholicos of All Armenians, for his service to the church and the community, and given the Most Excellent Order of Nerses Shenorhali when he visited Etchmiadzin, the Holy See of the Armenian Church.
He is is survived by his son Garo and daughter Nadia.
Arman Keshishian, businessman, born July 20 1905; died January 20 2004
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