Nishan Serabian

Nishan Serabian, 100, of North Providence passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by his loving family on Wednesday, January 26, 2022.  He was the beloved husband for 65 years of the late Mary (Zakarian). He was the loving father of Dr. Beverly Serabian, Linda Serabian (Darryl), Deborah Serabian-Kaufer

(David), Malcolm Serabian (Nancy), and the proud grandfather of Zara Serabian-Arthur (Jay), Shalem Kaufer Livingston (Duane), Kyle Serabian Kaufer (Laura), Sacha Serabian Rogers (Ryan), and Logan Serabian, and the delighted great-grandfather of 6 great-grandchildren.

Nishan was the eldest son of the late Merhan and Mariam (Chaderjian) Serabian, and the brother of the late Paul Serabian, and Victoria Serabian DiPetrillo.  He grew up in the Smith Hill neighborhood of Providence in the midst of a community of Armenians who had escaped or survived the 1915 Genocide.  Deep abiding love of family, embodied faith in God and the Armenian Church and the history of the Armenian people and culture were at the core of his life.

Nishan has been a member of Sts. Sahag and Mesrob Armenian Church since his birth.  Nishan first served the Church as an Alter Boy from ages 5-9 and then as an Acolyte from ages 10-20.  Nishan was a founding member of the ACYOA and attended its first convention in Providence.   He taught Sunday School, volunteered to sell books at church for the nascent NAASR, and donated jewelry to Sunday School for Bazaar prizes. Nishan served on the Auditing Committee for two terms, created the 20/20 Club Committee to raise funds for the Church, Co-Chaired the North Providence Armenian Earthquake Relief Fundraising Committee, and worked in the background as a sort of ‘volunteer at large’ for many Church events including the Bazaar, Woman’s Guild Dances, and Sunday School events as well as hand painting many, many signs over the years that advertised these events.  In 2016 Nishan was honored on Name Day for his contributions to the Church.

Deeply committed to the Church, Armenian History and Culture, Nishan was Vice Chairman of the Erebuni Cultural Society, the forerunner of the current Cultural Committee, as well as being appointed with two others to compile the history of Sts. Sahag and Mesrob Armenian Church.  Nishan has been a member of the Knights of Vartan, Arax Lodge for over 50 years, served as Clergy of the Lodge, received the Past Achievement Award in 1993 and Knight of the Year in 1997.

Nishan served in WWII as a Message Center Chief with rank of Sergeant in the 3rd Army and landed on Normandy on D+3.  A Bryant College graduate with a degree in Accounting and Finance, Nishan was the comptroller for the local Gerbers Jewelry chain, a supervisor for Zales Jewelers, a Managing Partner in Westminster Jewelry, and was the first Comptroller of the Rhode Island State Lottery.  Additionally, he developed real estate in North Providence and Johnston.  Nishan was actively involved in the town of North Providence, serving as a member of the Planning Board for 17 years, the Charter Revision Committee, and the Democratic Committee.  Throughout his life he was a self-employed Licensed Public Account, retiring at 89.

Nishan had a passion for learning, a zest for life, a clear moral compass and made friends wherever he went.  And we, his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren, are thankful for his love, guidance, and deeply value-guided life.

VISITING HOURS are Wednesday, February 2nd at Sts. Sahag & Mesrob Church, Providence from 9:30 a.m. to 11a.m. with a Funeral Service at 11 a.m. (MASKS are REQUIRED), followed by burial with military honors at North Burial Ground, Providence.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to: Sts. Sahag & Mesrob Church, 70 Jefferson St., Providence, RI 02908.