Vartges "Gus" M. Engustian

age 95, entered eternal rest with the Lord on January 17, 2025. He was the beloved husband of the late Dolores N. (Abbey) Engustian. He is survived by his daughters Lori Engustian, Kathryn Engustian (and husband Theodore Doolittle) and Christine Engustian, his grandchildren Anayis, Eve and Wyatt Doolittle, his nephew and niece, Jeffrey and Gail Goolgasian, and his great-niece, Marisa Goolgasian. He was predeceased by his parents, Manoog and Tamar Engustian, and his sisters, Mary Engustian and Sally (and husband Harold) Goolgasian. 

Vartges was a 1947 graduate of Pawtucket East High School and 1951 graduate of the University of Rhode Island, with a B. S. degree in civil engineering. He was an ensign in the U. S. Coast and Geodetic Survey – Commission Branch from 1951 to 1954 where he was stationed in Seattle, Washington and assigned to conducting a variety of off and on shore surveys and map compilations, primarily in the waters of the Aleutian Islands (AK). He was a recipient of a Full 1959 – 1960 Academic Year Scholarship to Yale University (New Haven, CT) Bureau of Highway Traffic where he completed a Graduate Studies Program in Highway Transportation. In years following, his engineering work included the position of the Town of West Hartford, Connecticut’s First Traffic Engineer and an approximate 27-year service to the City of East Providence as its Director of Public Works. He also served the State of Rhode Island as a member of the State’s Water Resource Board and the Certification of Operators of Waste Water Treatment Facilities Board. In 1982, he received from the Rhode Island Public Expenditure Council the Robert M. Goodrich Award for Distinguished Service to Rhode Island Taxpayers. Upon his retirement, the City of East Providence officially named its newly constructed municipal garage the Vartges M. Engustian Municipal Complex. 

Vartges was a man of faith with a great love for God and the church. He was actively involved for many years in the church life at Sts. Vartanantz Armenian Apostolic Church, serving on various committees and in various capacities, including Treasurer and Chairman of the Board of Trustees. In recent decades, he was a faithful participant in the church’s weekly bible studies, which he thoroughly enjoyed.

He also centered his attention on his love for his family and friends, always very eager to spend time with them, especially his grandchildren who brought him abiding joy. His interests included healthy eating and cooking, college basketball, music, movie classics, summers by the ocean and exercising with friends at the gym. As a son of Armenian Genocide survivors, he often liked to speak of his growing up in the City of Pawtucket and among other children of Armenian Genocide survivors who became his lifelong friends. It was an experience he cherished and held close in his heart. 

His Funeral Service will be held on Friday, January 24th at 11 a.m. in Sts. Vartanantz Armenian Apostolic Church, Providence, followed by burial at Swan Point Cemetery, Providence. VISITING HOURS are Thursday from 4 to 8 p.m. at the NARDOLILLO FUNERAL HOME & Crematory, 1278 Park Ave., Cranston.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Sts. Vartanantz Church, 402 Broadway, Providence, RI 02909.