|
Peabody Observance Honors Memory of
Torigian, Baronian
By Tom Vartabedian
 PEABODY, Mass.—When it came to refuting Turkish pressure and
staging a genocide observance on the steps of a government
building, Peter Torigian stood up for his principals.
And the principals of his Armenian heritage.
The 23-year mayor each April 24th would gather his Armenian
constituents on the steps of City Hall and condemn the Turks
for their wholesale slaughter of 1.5 million Armenians in
1915.
What would follow was a public outcry by Turkish residents
in the city with articles refuting Torigian’s actions in the
press. But the late mayor always managed to get the final
word with a rebuttal of his own.
His memory was recalled by successor Michael J. Bonfanti,
who took office shortly after Torigian’s death earlier this
decade.
“I’m proud of my city’s reputation as a place of religious,
ethnic, and cultural tolerance and respect for all people,”
he told a gathering of 100 guests April 17. “I am pleased
that the North Shore Holocaust Center is located at our main
office library.”
Bonfanti denounced the ADL’s failure to acknowledge the
genocide with the news that his city has disbanded its “No
Place for Hate Committee.”
“I have been horrified and repulsed by what I have read and
watched,” he added. “I cannot comprehend the inhumanity of
one human being to another. In a broader sense, we must
remember and honor all those who lost their lives in the
struggle for freedom and human rights.”
Also participating in the ceremony were Torigian’s two
daughters, Jeanie Burbridge and Nancy Buczko, along with his
sister, Mary Foley, who served as mistress of ceremonies.
The memory of Tufts University benefactor and humanitarian
John Baronian was also recalled for his distinguished
service to the Armenian community. Baronian seldom missed a
genocide commemoration anywhere in the state and served as a
philanthropist of the highest order.
Lone survivor Carl Mootafian paid little heed to his age
(almost 99) by presiding over a flag-raising ceremony and
leading the crowd with the singing of both national anthems.
The main speaker was Tom Vartabedian who discussed efforts
to introduce a genocide curriculum to high schools along the
North Shore. A number of programs have already been given to
students and faculty with positive impact.
Peabody filmmaker Apo Torosyan showed one of his six works
titled “Witnesses” which documents the lives of two
remaining survivors. His latest—a documentary on Ambassador
Henry Morgenthau—was completed this week on the anniversary
of his father’s death and will be showcased in the ensuing
months.
Newly-ordained Rev. Stephan Baljian conducted a requiem
service, assisted by Deacon Avedis Garavanian. Mary
Ishkanian gave the reading of a popular Saroyan work.
Patrice Tierney, wife of U.S. Congressman John Tierney,
brought greetings from D.C. and boasted of her own proud
Armenian ancestry.
“My husband is a proud member of the Armenian caucus and is
working hard to get a genocide bill passed in the
legislature,” she brought out.
A light luncheon followed in the auditorium.
|
|
 |
