Harry Melkonian

NAUGATUCK - Mr Harry Artin Melkonian, 89 of Naugatuck, passed away peacefully after a short illness on October 31, 2010 at River Glen Health Care Center in Southbury. He was the widower of Hermina (Barsumian) Melkonian who predeceased him in 2001 after 53 years of marriage.

Harry was born in Bridgeport, Connecticut on November 28, 1920, a son of the late Akribas (John) and Mathilde (Tosum) Melkonian and was a Naugatuck resident since 1951. During World War II, he was a navigator on a B-29 and attained the rank of First Lieutenant earning the Distinguished Flying Cross. He served in the 19th Unit of the 20th Air Force and saw action in the Pacific Theatre. Harry was a graduate of Warren Harding High School and Bryant University. He was a Certified Public Accountant and a member of the American and Connecticut Society of CPAs and was employed for over thirty-five years by the US Internal Revenue Service where he was a conferee in the Appellate Division. For many years, he had been an active member and participant in the Naugatuck Seniors Center, Salem-Shepherd Lodge # 78, A.F. & A.M., the Naugatuck Lodge of Elks, # 967 and served as a leader in Boy Scout Troop 102 in Naugatuck. Harry was an accomplished angler and pocket billiards player. He had an abiding love of learning and books and served as Treasurer of the Harris Whittemore Memorial Library and was a member of the Naugatuck Congregational Church.

Mr Melkonian is survived by his son Harry G Melkonian, daughter in law Dr Wei Wu and grandchildren Axel and Wyatt of Sydney, Australia and by his son Richard J Melkonian, daughter in law Louise Carr and grandchildren Alexander and Freya of Royal Tunbridge Wells, England. He is also survived by his younger brother Walter who resides in Oakville and by nieces and nephews and their families as well as cousins. He was predeceased by his sister Margaret and by two sons James and Jonathan Melkonian.

Arrangements - Funeral services will be held on Thursday, November 4, 2010 at 10 a.m. at the Naugatuck Congregational Church with interment following in Grove Cemetery, Naugatuck. After graveside services, family and friends are invited to gather at Jesse Camille's Restaurant 615 North Church Street. Calling hours will be held on Wednesday from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Alderson Funeral Home of Naugatuck, 201 Meadow Street. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Howard Whittemore Library, 243 Church Street, Naugatuck.