Henry Hovanasian

Henry “Hank” Hovanasian, 96, of Middleton, MA passed away Monday, August 27, 2018 at Lahey Medical Center. Henry was born in Methuen and was the son of Kasper and Rebecca (Pahigian) Hovanasian.

Henry was a graduate of Searles High School in Methuen and attended Northeastern University, where he received a BS in Business Administration. He furthered his education by enrolling at Columbia University and earned two Master’s degrees in Business. Henry was later selected to enroll in the IBM Customer Executive Program and received a scholarship from the Sperry Rand Corporation. 

Since Henry was very sociable and outgoing, becoming a teacher was a natural career choice. Henry started his vocation by teaching accounting at the high school and junior college levels. He later taught business at various colleges, including Northeastern University, Syracuse University, University of Southern California, S.U.N.Y. Agricultural and Technical College at Delhi, and was a professor Emeritus of Salem State University. 

During World War II, from 1942-1945, Henry proudly served our country as a private in the Army Air Force. He participated in bugle calls and was awarded a Good Conduct ribbon. Henry was a member of various professional organizations. He joined Phi Delta Kappa for educators and served as President of the Society for Advancement of Management in the Delaware-Otsego County Chapter. Henry also started a fraternity at the Technical College at Delhi and became a Freemason. He was actively involved with the D.A.V. in the Watertown area and served as Adjutant of the General G.S. Patton, Jr. Chapter 58 of Hamilton. In 2016 and 2017, Henry was awarded the Boston Post Cane from the Town of Hamilton and the Hamilton Historical Society. The cane served to recognize Henry as the oldest living male resident of Hamilton. 

Henry is survived by his loving wife of sixty-eight years, Susan (Petteruti) Hovanasian of Middleton, and his devoted daughter, Charlene Hovanasian of Middleton. He is also survived by his sister-in-law, Mary Hovanasian, and several loving relatives. Henry was preceded in death by his son, Henry B. Hovanasian, and his daughter, Karen L. Hovanasian.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to the nurses and staff at the Edith Nourse Rogers Memorial Veterans Hospital in Bedford for their loving care towards Henry while he was a patient.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend visiting hours on Tuesday, September 4, 2018 from 8:30 to 10:00 a.m., at Cataudella Funeral Home, 126 Pleasant Valley Street in Methuen. A funeral mass will follow at 11 a.m. at St. Gregory Armenian Apostolic Church, 158 Main Street in North Andover. Burial will follow at Bellevue Cemetery in Lawrence.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Gregory Armenian Apostolic Church, 158 Main Street, North Andover, MA 01845.