Leon Hovsepian II, 64, an artist and retired teacher, died November 16th. He leaves his wife of 35 years, Sarah Hovsepian, a son, Leon Hovsepian III of New York City, and a daughter, Lisa Hovsepian of Arlington, Virginia. His parents, Leon and Mary Hovsepian of Worcester, his sister, Marlene Markarian of Paxton, two nieces and an aunt also survive him.
Leon graduated from Clark University in 1964 and received his Master’s in Education from Assumption College. “Mr. H” taught art in the Worcester Public Schools for 34 years at North High School and at Burncoat Junior and Senior High Schools. He wrote and facilitated a grant program with the Worcester Art Museum, developed curriculum for the visual Arts Magnet program, and taught Architectural Heritage celebrating Worcester’s architecture. Former students will remember painting excursions to Rockport and fieldtrips to the Worcester Art Museum.
Throughout his life Leon has worked closely with his father, a noted artist, and his mother, an accomplished interior designer. Among many other projects, the family designed and created a fresco, Christ In Glory, which resides in the Church of the Annunciation in Washington, D.C., and a sand sculpture of Our Lady of the Highway for St. Barbara’s Parish in Vulcan, Michigan.
A photographer, Leon took many slides from his extensive travels. Leon was also an avid boater and fisherman who enjoyed taking friends on tours of Gloucester Harbor and entertaining them with his stories.
Leon was an active member of the community as his many memberships reflect: the Educational Association of Worcester, the Massachusetts Teachers Association, the Greendale Retired Men’s Club, the Worcester Fitness Club, the Worcester County Power Squadron, and Heron Way Cooperative Association.
A memorial service will be held at noon on Saturday, November26th in the Armenian Church of Our Saviour. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Burncoat Arts Magnet Program, 179 Burncoat Street, Worcester, MA 01606, for an art scholarship in his name, or to the Armenian Church of Our Saviour, 87 Salisbury Street, Worcester, MA 01605.