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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Monday, December 4, 2006

Jerry Kouyoumjian Leaves $2,491,000 to AGBU Programs

The last survivor in his family, Jerry Kouyoumdjian, eager to ensure
AGBU’s mission to promote the Armenian heritage, bequeathed his
estates to the organization that helps 400,000 Armenians annually.

Natives of Kharpet in historic Armenia, the Kouyoumjian family found
refuge in Boston after a long journey that began during the Armenian
Genocide. Setrak Kouyoumdjian and Aznive Kurkdjian fled with their
four sons to the French city of Marseille in the early 1920s, where
they lived with other Armenians who escaped sure death at the hands
of Turkish authorities. Varoujan, known as John, and Zaven, known as
Jerry, were among the four Kouyoumdjian boys who traveled with their
parents and received an education in French schools until they
finally settled in the United States in 1938, on the eve of the
Second World War.

John, born in 1915, completed the 12th grade in Marseille, while
Jerry, born in 1921, left France before completing high school.

Wide-eyed and keen to succeed, John established two retail businesses
in America, one selling greeting cards and the other repairing
watches and selling jewelry. He never married and nurtured his
interest in cultural activities, particularly ballroom dancing, in
which he was a skilled performer.

The younger Jerry joined the United States Army during World War II
and, as a technical officer, served in the Battle of Normandy, in the
Rhineland and throughout Central Europe. His honors included the
European, African, Middle Eastern Theatre Ribbons. After his
honorable discharge in 1945, Jerry joined his older brother John in
the retail business. A bachelor all his life, Jerry loved to help
those less fortunate than himself and also enjoyed supporting the
arts and public television.

Both brothers lived a private, quiet life during their final years in
Boston. Little information remains about the other members of their
immediate family. John passed away at the age of 77 in 1993, while
Jerry lived until this year, when he died at the age of 84.

Totaling $2,491,000, the Jerry Kouyoumdjian Memorial Fund will
support AGBU’s educational, cultural and humanitarian projects in 35
countries.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress