Obituary: Varoujan Akribas Ekserdjian

In 1954, he married Arminée Basmadjian, the daughter of Genocide survivors Hagop and Goussineh Basmadjian and they went on to have two children: Nora (Armani) and Vazken (Exerjian).

During the visit of Catholicos Vazken I to Egypt in 1960 Varoujan Ekserdjian was instrumental in facilitating the Catholicos’ official meetings with Egyptian dignitaries and his audience with President Gamal Abdel Nasser.

He was a humanitarian who helped without reserve all who appealed to him for aid. For many years he served as president of the Armenian Diocese Charity Organization (Aghkadakhenam Miyutiun) in Egypt, and registered the organization with the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) to secure help for Armenian Refugees and their families in Egypt, many years after the Armenian Genocide.

In 1986 after the passing of his beloved wife, Arminee, he immigrated to the US to live with his daughter Nora Armani and then-son-in-law Gerald Papasian in Los Angeles. He attended Los Angeles City College and although already experienced as a professional contractor, he enrolled in carpentry and construction courses and obtained his US Certificate and California Contractor’s License. He worked as a contractor for some time and later continued as a property manager until he retired in 2001. He was awarded a recognition certificate by Culver City for improving the Blair Hills neighborhood through property upgrades.

Ekserdjian joined the ADL (Ramgavar Party) at a very young age and was very active as a prominent member of the Heliopolis Chapter.

“My father was our Rock of Gibraltar. He inspired us with his resilience, his spirit of perseverance and gentle humanitarian streak. We will miss him forever,” said Armani, speaking of her father.