Harold Jigarjian, age 94, died Friday, January 12, 2024, at Good Samaritan Hospital of Suffern.  He leaves his beloved wife of 52 years, Carol (Jaugstetter) Jigarjian, of New City, NY, and a sister, Mary Gigarjian, of Northbridge, MA.  He was predeceased by his brothers Archie and Charles Gigarjian, and two sisters, Rose Garabedian and Victoria Gigarjian.

A son of Charles and Anna (Halafian) Gigarjian, Harold was born in Whitinsville, MA November 25, 1929.  He was a graduate of Northbridge High School, Clark University, and the University of Connecticut where he earned a master’s degree in chemistry. His career as a chemist began in West Virginia, at Mobay Chemical Company. He later worked at Allied Chemical, in New Jersey, then American Cyanamid, in Connecticut. It was while working at Allied Chemical that he met Carol. Mr. Jigarjian retired from International Paper, in New York where he worked as a Polymer Chemist for many years.  

Mr. Jigarjian led a long and full life.  He was an accomplished acrylic painter; while he painted an occasional landscape or portrait, he was primarily an abstract painter.  He was an avid reader. Among his many interests were Astronomy, Biology, and Mathematics.  He also enjoyed Classical music and power walking.  He loved children; the neighborhood kids called him “the professor” because he often helped them with their homework. Harold worked tirelessly for the Democratic Party, serving on the county Democratic Committee in Rockland County, NY for mor than 25 years.

A Funeral Service will be held Tuesday, January 23, at 11AM in the Carr Funeral Home, 24 Hill St., Whitinsville, MA.  Burial will follow in Pine Grove Cemetery, Linwood Ave., Whitinsville.  There will be a period of visitation prior to the funeral service from 10-11AM. A Memorial Service in New City will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, 255N. Michigan Ave., Floor 17, Chicago, IL 60601.