We are here today to honor and remember our beloved father and grandfather, Khachik Djezyan.

He was a man with a great and kind heart who devoted his entire life to his family. He willingly carried every burden and hardship upon his own shoulders, always protecting his loved ones from worry and pain. To us, he was not only a father and grandfather but also our pillar of strength—a man we could always rely on. He was wise, kind, strong in spirit, and boundless in his love.

His life was not an easy one. It was marked by hardship, suffering, and countless trials and tribulations. Yet despite everything he endured, he never lost faith in a better tomorrow, never lost his optimism, and never stopped loving life.

Khachik was born on January 13, 1930, in Beirut, Lebanon. His life began in a family that had survived one of the greatest tragedies in Armenian history—the Genocide of 1915. His parents, Krikor Djezyan and Arshaluis Ter-Petrosyan, miraculously survived the Genocide and, after those terrible events, spent years in orphanages, which were ultimately moved from Aleppo to Lebanon. Eventually, when they met and married, they had 8 children: Silva, Khachik, Lydia, Haroutyun, Hakop, Vartan, Tamara, and Andrey. Silva and Haroutyun diet at a young age. From the age of twelve, he began working to help support his family. While working in a factory, he was given the opportunity to continue his education and finished 8th grade.

In 1946, the family moved to Soviet Armenia in hopes of beginning a new life in their homeland. They settled in the village of Solak, where life proved to be extremely difficult. The winters were harsh, the cold was bitter, the snow was deep, and hunger was a daily issue. Khachik worked tirelessly to help his family overcome poverty and hardship.

As a young man, he moved to Karakalpakstan in Central Asia, hoping to build a better future for his family. There, he established a new life and made many lifelong friends. In Karakalpakstan, he worked incredibly hard and discovered a talent for building. He began his career operating an excavator, but with time and through dedication, perseverance, and hard work, he rose to become the director of a construction company. He earned the respect of his colleagues and subordinates, and his judgment was highly valued. He left behind a legacy of kindness, integrity, and professionalism that is still remembered there today.

It was in Karakalpakstan that he met Elena Akritidi, and started a family. Together they had three children: a son, Leonid, and twin daughters, Yevgeniya and Margarita. He was a loving husband, a devoted father, and later, a wonderful grandfather. Yet his longing for his homeland never faded, and he eventually decided to return to Armenia. Beginning in 1990, Armenia endured one of the most difficult periods in its modern history—the war in Nagorno-Karabakh (Artsakh), severe shortages of electricity and natural gas during the winters, and widespread hunger. Faced with these hardships, he made another difficult decision: to move to Uzbekistan and join his daughter, Yevgeniya, and her family. There, he and Elena lived with Yevgeniya’s family for about 3 years, until the collapse of the Soviet Union. Around the same time, Christians in Uzbekistan began facing increasing religious restrictions and discrimination. This time, along with his son-in-law, Arthur, his daughter, and his grandchildren, Khachik paved the way for a move to the United States, hoping it would lead to a better future and an easier life. In America, he once again built a new life and gained many friends. He helped his daughter and grandchildren establish themselves, receive an education, and build loving families of their own.

Ultimately, life blessed him with yet another great joy—the opportunity to meet and cherish his great-grandchildren. Until his very last days, he was surrounded by the love and care of his family.

He often repeated the wise words of his mother, Arshaluys: "A tree is strong because of its branches." Those words reflected his entire philosophy of life. To him, family was life's greatest treasure and his proudest achievement.

He visited Armenia often and remained a true patriot of his historic homeland. He loved to sing, and did so in many different languages. He spoke Armenian, Russian, English, Turkish, Arabic, and a bit of French. He was a fascinating storyteller and a warm, outgoing man. He possessed a unique charisma that naturally drew people to him. It was easy and joyful to be in his company, and everyone who met him carried with them a lasting sense of love and respect for him.

Finally, he was a deeply faithful man who regularly attended church services. Our family is grateful to God for blessing our lives with such an extraordinary father and grandfather. We will miss his wise eyes, his warm smile, his sage advice, and his truly wonderful sense of humor. We love him, and we will never forget him. May our Lord Jesus Christ receive him into His heavenly Kingdom and grant his soul eternal peace and rest.