Harry Deroian, 89, Managed Park Snow’s Toy Department

Harry Deroian, 89, of Groveland, passed away Saturday, May 23 at his residence, surrounded by his  wife and children.

He was born in Haverhill Oct. 5, 1925, son of the late Missak (known as Michael) and Mary (Krikorian) Deroian. He graduated from Haverhill High School with his class in 1943. Deroian served in the U.S. Navy during World War II in the Asiatic Pacific Theatre on LSM 131 Landing Craft. He excelled in sales while enjoying jobs including manager of the toy department at Park Snow’s and is credited for opening the original CVS stores in Haverhill, Lowell, and Manchester, N.H.

Later Deroian joined the Essex County Gas Company team in Haverhill, and dedicated the majority of his working career there for 30 years. He was a Master Mason member with the Merrimack Lodge F. & A.M. for 64 years. In his early years, Deroian played on several town baseball teams, and was an avid Red Sox fan throughout his life. His happiest days were spent with his wife on their island cottage on Grand Manan Island in Canada. He loved spending time with his family and his grandchildren.

He is survived by his wife of 52 years Evelynn Mae (Tucker) Deroian; four children Lisa Lynn Deroian O’Connor and her husband Thomas O’Connor of Leominster, Laura Lynn Deroian Soraghan and her husband Jack Soraghan of E. Hampstead, N.H., Eric H. Deroian and his fiancée Von Nguyen, and Diane L. Deroian Varjabedian all of Los Angeles, Calif.; brother Leon “Dedo” Deroian of Georgetown; six grandchildren Amy, Jake and Maria Soraghan, Thomas and Tyla Lynn O’Connor and Abby Deroian. He is also survived by his nieces Debra (Deroian) Anderson, Judith Harwood and nephew Steven Deroian. He was the brother of the late Ara Deroian, Mary Matorian, Sally Derderian and Nancy Mawson.

Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend the funeral service Wednesday, May 27, 1:30 p.m. at the Armenian Apostolic Church at Hye Pointe, (St. Gregory) 110 Main St. Haverhill. Entombment will be a private ceremony at the Elmwood Cemetery Mausoleum, Bradford. Contributions in his memory and in lieu of flowers may be made to the AGBU (Armenian General Benevolent Union) Scholarship Fund for students of Armenian descent.