John Onnik AREVIAN

AREVIAN, John (Onnik) Died peacefully at home on July 21, 2007. His wife Diko was at his side. John was born in Istanbul, Turkey on Nov. 22, 1922. As a young man he had a successful career with Phillips in Istanbul and later started a prosperous retail business. Following the civil unrest against Christian minorities of Sept. 5 and 6, 1955, he decided to move his young family to North America. John immigrated to Montreal in 1956. He was co-owner of Avenue Hardware on Greene Ave., Westmount and in 1975 transformed this business to Lumiere Arevco/Arevco Lighting, a speciality lighting store. During his early years in Montreal he worked extensively in the Armenian community, particularly with the Armenians from Istanbul Organization. He helped establish the first Armenian church in Montreal, Sourp Hagop. In 2003, he moved to Ottawa. John will be dearly missed by his son Greg, daughter Hera and her husband Dr. Robert Ward, wife Dikranuhi, sisters-in-law, Diruhi Arsenian and Silva Alexanian, grandchildren Simon and Chloe Arevian, Olivia, Laura and Ian Ward. John was a man of charm and distinction who will be lovingly remembered by many. A special thank you to Dr. Popescu, Dr. Potoczny, the doctors of the Community Palliative Care Network and the staff of the Palliative Home Care Program. Funeral service will be held at 2 pm, Tuesday, July 24 at McGarry Family Chapel, 150 Woodroffe Ave., Ottawa, 613-233-1143. Visitation from 1 pm. In lieu of flowers please direct donations to the Community Palliative Care Network or charity of choice. Published in the Ottawa Citizen from 7/23/2007 - 7/24/2007 Published in the Montreal Gazette from 7/23/2007 - 7/24/2007