The son of Arsen and Maryam Babikyan, Jirair was born and raised in Istanbul, Turkey. Jirair was known by his middle name, Hagop, to his family and close friends, named after his maternal grandfather, Hagopos Ayvazian the liturgical musicologist at Armash Seminary. Jirair came to the United States in 1948 to attend the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He was an electromagnetic engineer until he met the love of his life Carol, started a family, and "retired" to raise their four boys. Jirair was an active volunteer for many local Armenian organizations (most notably the Cambridge Yerevan Sister City Association), and was a particularly knowledgeable altar server for decades. He will be remembered for his great generosity of time and spirit.
Beloved husband of 41 years to Carol (Senausky) Babikyan. Devoted father to Armen of Watertown, Haig and his wife Amy of South Hadley, Aram and his fiancé Mary of Woburn, and Vartan and his wife Kalyn of Belmont. Jirair lived to see the birth of two grandchildren, Alina and Hagop. Brother of Margrit Babikyan and the late Antranik Babikyan. Also, survived by many cousins and friends. Graduate of Getronagan High School in Istanbul, class of 1947. Graduate of MIT, class of 1953.
Funeral service at Saint James Armenian Church, 465 Mount Auburn Street, Watertown on Thursday, January 31 at 11:00 a.m. Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend. Visiting hours at the Aram Bedrosian Funeral Home, 558 Mount Auburn Street, Watertown on Wednesday from 4 – 8 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to Saint James Armenian Church or Alzheimer’s Disease Research. Interment at Highland Meadow Cemetery, Belmont.