Obituary of Mr. Michael Joseph Martin (Mikhail Hovsep Martirossian)

It is with deep sorrow and much love that we mourn the passing of our beloved father and grandfather, Michael Joseph Martin (Mikhail Hovsep Martirossian) who passed away on Good Friday April 10, 2020 at 12:50 pm. Dad will be lovingly remembered by his daughters, Eleanor, Christine, Cheryl, son-in-laws Salvatore, Claude, and grandsons Mikhail, Armen and Norvik. He was predeceased by his wife, our beloved mother Veronica Martin. Dad was born on June 6, 1930 in Rangoon, Burma. He was the 9th child of his parents, Joseph Abraham Martin and Eleanor Gertrude Owen who were from Julfa, Iran. In 1986 he was the sole custodian of the Armenian Church of Holy Resurrection Dhaka, Bangladesh. His service to the church was acknowledged by Karekin II Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians and he was bestowed the Papal Bull issued by His Holiness, Karekin II. The Papal Bull, along with the Saint Nerses medal, symbolizes the recognition of dad’s heroic stand in protecting and preserving our precious Armenian Church. Our dear father’s words were “I took over the care and responsibility of the Armenian Church in Dhaka because I considered it my duty to take care of the church and I feel honoured by doing so. The blessings, guidance and protection were essential and received”. Dad was very family oriented and much loved by all. He loved to get together with his family and friends. He always gave a helping hand for all his nieces and nephews weddings. It broke our hearts to lose you Dad but you didn’t go alone, for part of us went with you the day God called you home. The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name’s sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me All the days of my life; And I will dwell in the house of the LORD Forever.