Armand KAROLIAN

Armand Karolian Sr., 79, of Manchester, N.H., died Oct. 29, 2005, at Merrimack County Nursing Home, after a period of failing health. Born in Marseilles, France, May 31, 1926, he was the son of Gary and Anna Karolian. Mr. Karolian immigrated to the United States in 1946 and had lived in New York before moving to Manchester in 1948. He graduated from high school and attended aeronautical school in France. During World War II, Mr. Karolian served in the French military as a decorated tank commander. He served with the French underground and was held as a prisoner of war. He worked as a tractor-trailer driver with St. Johnsbury Trucking Co. for 10 years. He was a member and past secretary of Teamsters Union Local 633. Mr. Karolian was an avid outdoorsman who especially enjoyed hunting and fly-fishing. He was an active volunteer with the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department and was an honorary park steward at Bear Brook State Park. The family includes his wife of 55 years, Jeannette (Mardigian) Karolian of Pittsfield; three sons, Gary Karolian of Pittsfield, Clark Karolian of Hooksett and Armand Karolian Jr. of Bedford; six grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. A memorial reception will be held today (Thursday, Nov. 4) from 4 to 6 p.m. at Connor-Healy Funeral Home and Cremation Center, 537 Union St., Manchester, followed by a memorial service at 6 p.m. in the funeral home. Memorial donations may be made to the Alzheimer's Association of New Hampshire, 10 Ferry St., Suite 427B Concord, NH 03301-5004.