Peabody Observance Honors Memory of Torigian, Baronian

By Tom Vartabedian

"The Armenian Weekly", Volume 74, No. 18, May 3, 2007

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.