Shrewsbury –
Shrewsbury – The life given us by nature is short; but the memory of a well-spent life is eternal. Manny Simonian’s memory is eternal. He died peacefully Tuesday, April 19, 2016. He was 82.
Manuel Simonian was born Nov. 17, 1933 in Worcester, a son of Armenian immigrants Simon and Margaret (Aslanian) Simonian. A lifelong Shrewsbury resident, he was a graduate of the former Maj. Howard W. Beal High School, class of 1951. He graduated from Wentworth Institute in Boston (1954), Worcester Junior College (1958), and Northeastern University with a Bachelor of Science (1974), and did graduate work at Worcester Polytechnic Institute. He honorably served his country in the United States Navy during the Korean War aboard the U.S.S. Yosemite.
Manny worked for many years in the information and computer management industry at Honeywell, Raytheon, Sylvania, finally retiring from Digital Equipment Corporation in 1991, where he worked as a Senior Technical Writer.
He loved the game of golf. Like all golfers he got bad breaks from good shots and good breaks from bad shots. He was a regular in golf groups at Juniper Hill and at Old Barnstable on Cape Cod. It was the love and challenge of the sport, camaraderie of friends and the ability to take in God’s beauty on the golf course that drew him to the game. He was a familiar face at the Shrewsbury Senior Center whether at ‘Roger’s Café’ or the Thursday men’s group.
Manny looked forward annually to the bocce league at the Italian American Victory Club, where he was active. For many years, he volunteered at Shrewsbury High School as a “Senior Greeter” and was an active member in the Spirit of Shrewsbury Festival and Parade for many years.
Roger Kingston said, “The camera is the save button for the mind’s eye.” Manny was the family photographer and thankfully always captured the important and memorable moments of life. He loved time at his home in Marston Mills and travelling extensively. He had a good life and will be very much missed.
Manny’s family offers thanks to Dr. Peter Bagley and staff of 6 ICU at UMass Medical Center for the wonderful care given to him.
In addition to his parents, Manny was predeceased by his siblings, John Simonian and Rose Simonian, and brother-in-law, James Tarallo.
He leaves his sister, Mary Tarallo of Shrewsbury; his sister-in-law, Rose (Kustigian) Simonian of Northborough; his nephews, Sam (Eileen) Simonian of Holliston, Ron (Catherine) Simonian of Shrewsbury, Mark (Kristy) Tarallo of Medfield, and Matthew (Lori) Tarallo of Spartanburg, S.C.; his cousin, Joseph (Gail) Aslanian of Shrewsbury and their son John (Ingrid) Aslanian, who was Manny’s godson; and is also survived by many grandnieces and grandnephews.
Family and friends will honor and remember Manny’s life by gathering for calling hours at Heald & Chiampa Funeral Directors ~ The Sumner House, 5 Church Road, On the Common, Shrewsbury Center, Friday, April 22, from 4-7 p.m. A Dahngark service will be offered at 6 p.m. during calling hours. His funeral service will be held Saturday, April 23, at 10 a.m., in the Armenian Church of Our Saviour, 87 Salisbury St., Worcester. Burial with military honors will follow in Mountain View Cemetery of Shrewsbury.
In lieu of flowers, memorials in Manny’s name may be made to the Armenian Church of Our Saviour, 87 Salisbury St., Worcester, MA 01609 or a charity of one’s choice.
