Michael Nurhan Teferian

Michael Nurhan Teferian, 67, of Narragansett, RI, died Saturday, April 9, 2022 at Kent Hospital in Warwick surrounded by his loving family.  Born in Istanbul, Turkey, his family immigrated to the U.S. when he was 13 years old settling in RI. He was the son of the late Zohrab and Luiz (Zipciyan)Teferian. Michael leaves behind his wife Patricia (McPherson) Teferian who cared and did so much for him during his last years of life.

Michael was the son-in-law and true friend to the late Barbara McPherson. He is the nephew of Takuhi (Zipciyan) Ketli and her late husband Berc Ketli of West Warwick; stepfather of Christopher McPherson-Pine and his significant other Taliha Rollins of Coventry and Sean Pine and his significant other Stacy Jacobs of Tiverton; brother-in law of Barbara Klassner and her husband Michael of Newport; uncle of Nicholas Klassner and Aaron Soares and his wife Pamela; and grandfather aka Grampy to Alexis, Rylee, Sharlett, Cali, and Noah.

He will be missed by his lifelong friends Tyson Edmonds, Stevie DeConti, Randy Ginn, and many others.  He also leaves cousins in Paris, France.

Known fondly by many of his friends as Mike T and Miki to his family.

His late grandmother taught him how to cook and inspired his love of cooking. He studied culinary at Johnson and Wales University and was a chef throughout his life. Mike had owned a Deli at one time with his Uncle Berc on Rolf Street in Cranston.  He was an Executive Chef at Potowomut Country Club and worked in various restaurants.   Mike T dedicated many years to the Christian Brothers Center and the boys at Ocean Tides in Narragansett before retiring.  He loved to celebrate Armenian Christmas with family and friends, cooking Armenian food for the whole gang.

Mike met his wife Patti through her mother Barbara McPherson.  They started dating in 2001 and were married in 2012.

When Mike came to the U.S., he knew football as soccer.  His first friends in the U.S. Stevie and Randy taught him American football and baseball with some mishaps in learning the games. Mike loved to watch soccer, tennis, football, and basketball.  Mike T enjoyed music and going to concerts.  He was an avid chess player during college. For many years he played Hi Lo Jack in a league at Ponchos in Narragansett.   He loved to play backgammon and cribbage and gambling at the casino.  And most of all everything flamingos!

Mike and Patti loved to travel and had spent time together exploring the world in Mexico, Italy, France, Spain, Israel, Alaska, and all-around New England and various parts of the US. His last trip and lifelong dream was going on an Armenian Pilgrimage to the Holy Land in Israel in 2019 and following the footsteps of Jesus.  He received his first tattoo of the Armenian Cross in the Old City of Jerusalem in Israel and of course got hooked on tattoos and had another one done here in RI.

Mike loved all his grandchildren and nephews.  They were his pride and joy watching them grow up and teaching them how to cook.   He loved to have them sit on his lap in the chair and snuggle with them when they were little.

Rest in Peace our friend.

Michael’s Funeral Service to which relatives and friends are invited, will be held on Wednesday, April 13th at 11 a.m. in Sts. Sahag & Mesrob Armenian Apostolic Church, Providence. Burial will be private.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to: Sts. Sahag & Mesrob Church, 70 Jefferson St., Providence, RI 02908 or The Three Angels Fund, PO Box 4003, Middletown, RI 02842, or a local charity of your choice.