Yesterday, Monday, 2 November 2020, at 2:30 p.m., the funeral and national burial service of Comrade Garabed Papahakian, honorary member of the ADL Central Board, took place in the St. Gregory the Illuminator Cathedral of the Antelias Mother See.
On this occasion, a eulogy was delivered on behalf of the ADL Central Board and the Lebanese Regional Board, spoken by Comrade Dr. Avedis Dakessian, member of the ADL Central Board and Chairman of the ADL Lebanese Regional Board.
Below we present Comrade Dakessian’s address:
“Mourning Friends,
At this moment, how difficult it is to bid farewell to a man who, until a few days ago, despite his advanced age, like an enthusiastic young man, healthy and in high spirits, telephoning left and right, sought to gather news about the Union, the Community, the Nation and the Homeland, especially about Artsakh, to calm his burning Armenian soul.
That person was none other than the Lebanese-Armenian businessman known to us all, loved and respected by everyone, the meticulous and pure Armenian and party member, the devoted national benefactor, the noble man who thought and acted for the Armenian Press, the Armenian School, the Armenian Apostolic Church and the Armenian Homeland — Garabed Papahakian.
His heart, beating for the nation but never knowing fatigue, unfortunately suddenly stopped… leaving in mourning his spouse, children, grandchildren, relatives, a wide circle of party and union comrades, and countless friends. And now, behold, he silently departs from us, and with him go forever the memories of many decades, at a time when we still needed him.
Comrade Papahakian, as a man, an Armenian man, a meticulous and virtuous man, had principles in life, had a creed, deep conviction and faith toward his nation and homeland. To offer appreciation in words, even within the narrow confines of a eulogy, is difficult. Throughout his entire life he was a pioneer of solidarity and legality, rising from modest social positions to very high party titles, up to member of the Central Board, which he held with full awareness, seriousness, conscientiousness and honour, serving to the best of his ability with unconditional love.
Having held responsible positions in both the Armenian Democratic Liberal Party and the Founders’ Body of the Tekeyan Cultural Union, he always worked to keep high the name of the Union and the Party, and served the national institutions, opening wide his purse with heart and soul, from the Tekeyan School to Etchmiadzin… then to Artsakh… earning the name of benefactor and being worthily decorated by the Homeland and by Aram I, Catholicos of Cilicia.
He, Comrade Garabed Papahakian, now departs quietly, but his memory shall remain bright in the souls of all who knew him. Condolences from the ADL Central Board and the Lebanese Regional Board to Mrs. Hasmik, to his children — Jenny, Sosi and Sepuh — to his grandchildren, sons-in-law and all his relatives.”
