Haig Edward Tashjian

He was born on March 8, 1925 to the late Eghishe and Anna (Surabian) Tashjian in Springfield, MA. After graduating from Technical High School in Springfield, Haig immediately enlisted in the US Army where he proudly served as a navigator on a B24 bomber aircraft in the Army Air Force, flying 35 missions over Europe during WWII and receiving a Distinguished Flying Cross Air Medal with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters.

While home on leave during the war, Haig was blessed to meet the love of his life, Hermine Kojian, and they married shortly after the war ended on September 7, 1947. Haig attended Worchester Polytechnic Institute and graduated with his Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering in 1949. Over the next 41 years he had successful careers with several corporations including GE, ITT, and lastly IBM from where he retired in 1990. His work led him to residences in Bristol, CT, Manhasset, NY, Livingston, NJ, Woodstock, NY, and Morgan Hill, CA, before retiring to beautiful Laguna Niguel, CA in 1993. An active health naturalist and exercise enthusiast, Haig loved his daily 3 mile walks in Laguna Niguel Regional Park, which he enjoyed well into his nineties. He was a great believer in daily exercise and a healthy diet and practiced these principles faithfully throughout his life, working out, playing tennis, cycling, and running.

Haig and Hermine were blessed with two wonderful children, Sandy and Bruce, during their beautiful 66 year marriage, which was filled with love, respect, and devotion each and every day. Haig’s favorite bit of advice to his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren was always “love and cherish”. They were truly a model for all to follow. Haig was a living example, always giving praise, love, support, and guidance every step of the way. He exemplified the importance of tradition, faith, family values, true love, and respect for yourself and others.

Haig and Hermine were devout church members at St Vartanantz Armenian Church in Ridgefield, NJ, St Andrew Armenian Church in Cupertino, CA, and St Mary Armenian Church in Costa Mesa. Haig loved his music, and was actively engaged in barbershop quartets during the 1960s. He was a devoted member of his various church choirs for 7 decades, as well as an active member of the church men’s club, the Knights of Vartan, and the Orange County Armenian Professional Society.

Haig was preceded in death by his wife Hermine Tashjian, Daughter in Law Deborah Tashjian, granddaughter Jennifer Tashjian, and nephew Craig Meyer.

Haig is survived by his brother Armen Tashjian and sister Nancy (Ted) Sellarole, children Sandra (Harry) Kalvonjian, Bruce (Beryl) Tashjian, grandchildren Harry (Allyson) Kalvonjian III, Gregory (Kimberly) Kalvonjian and Kyle (Jessica) Tashjian and great-grandchildren Macy, Everly, Luke, Elane, and Mason. He is also survived by nephews Gregory, Bryan, and Edward Tashjian, Theodore “Chip” Sellarole, and nieces Sheila Schreiber, Angie Kardashian, and Bonnie Inserra.

The family would like to thank Haig’s dedicated caregivers for their amazing, compassionate care of Haig. We will be forever grateful for the love and comfort they provided for him during his last years. He could not have been more blessed.

Memorial Services for Haig will be held on Saturday, May 14, 2022 at 9:30 AM at St. Mary Armenian Church in Costa Mesa, CA.

In lieu of flowers, memorials would be appreciated to:

St. Mary Armenian Church

148 East 22nd Street

Costa Mesa, CA 92627

St. Gregory Armenian Church

135 Goodwin Street

Springfield, MA 01151

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