Dicran Hadjetian
Dicran Hadjetian 
| |
|---|---|
| Birthplace | Alexandria |
| Death place | Dominican Republic |
| Death date | 2008-03-17 |
| Death year | 2008 |
| Resting place | Noravank Monastery |
| Religion | Armenian Apostolic |
| Languages | Armenian, English, French |
| Ethnicities | Armenian |
| Dialects | Western Armenian |
| Spouses | Diana Hadjetian |
Dicran Hadjetian, who was born in Alexandria, Egypt and immigrated to Montreal, Canada in 1963, was a founding partner of Unitool, Inc., a manufacturer and distributor of quality tools serving the industrial , automotive and hardware markets.
Born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Stepanian-Hadjetian met her husband in 1964 while visiting Montreal. They were married in 1965 and raised two daughters, Nathalie and Aline, who today are executives in the company established by their late father.
Both daughters followed the family tradition and have strong Armenian families devoted to supporting the philanthropic efforts of the community. In addition to her two daughters, Diana Hadjetian has been blessed with three grandchildren.
Along with his success as a businessman, Dicran Hadjetian is remembered for his commitment to the community. He served for many years as a Trustee of St. Hagop Church in Montreal and as a Representative to the National Representative Assembly of the Armenian Apostolic Church of North America. Diana Hadjetian’s devotion to the Armenian Relief Society dates back to 1965 when she joined the Montreal “Sosse” Chapter. She has held a number of executive positions as well as served on the Regional Executive of the ARS of Canada.
The Hadjetians have been supporters and benefactors of a number of Armenian institutions and organizations throughout the world including the Prelacy of the Armenian Church in New York; the Armenian Embassy in Ottawa; the Seminary in Bikfaya, Lebanon; St. Hagop School in Montreal and the ARF Aram Manoogian Center in Yerevan, Armenia.
In recognition of their many years of service to the Armenian Church and nation, Catholicos of All Armenians, His Holiness Karekin I of Etchmiadzin, awarded the Hadjetians the “St. Gregory the Illuminator” medal and His Holiness Aram I of the Holy See of Cilicia, granted them the “Prince of Cilicia” order.
Maro Froundjian, ARS Central Executive Vice-Chairperson, who is a personal friend of Diana Hadjetian commented that “It is through the generous support of individuals such as the Hadejtians that the ARS is able to continue our charitable and humanitarian work in Armenia, Artskah and Javakh. It is fitting that this donation made in memory of her late husband will be used to assist the people and community that he loved so much."
Noravank Monastery
Starting in 1996, the Hadjetians assumed the financial sponsorship of the renovation and maintenance of the Noravank Monastery's Burtelashen St. Astvatzatzin Church in Armenia and in 2002, they sponsored the building of the adjoining monastery. A museum has been established in the main hall of the monastery and it will be inaugurated later on this year. Today this church holds a special place in Diana Hadjetian’s heart; not only because she is grateful for the opportunity to renovate this historical site but more importantly, it is the place where Dicran Hadjetian had chosen as his final resting place.
Visit to Ethiopia
On 14th January 2007, following the Holy Mass at Saint George (Kevork) Armenian Church in Addis Ababa, the Ethiopian Armenians welcomed a group of visiting benefactors, accompanied by Prof. George Bournoutian (Professor of East European and Middle Eastern Studies in Iona College, USA). The visiting guests included: Mr. and Mrs. Dikran Hadjetian (Canadian-Armenians, the benefactors of the Noravank Monastery complex in Armenia), Mr. and Mrs. Haig Titizian (Founder of the Nerses Shnorhali Theological Seminary in New York and long time sponsor) and Mr. and Mrs. Raffi Hovhannesian (member of the Legislative Body in the Eastern Diocese in the USA and a well known philanthropist).
PASSING OF DIKRAN HADJETIAN
Dikran Hadjetian, a resident of Montreal, died suddenly on Monday, March 17, while vacationing in the Dominican Republic. He was 69 years old. Mr. Hadjetian was a delegate to the World General Assembly, a delegate to the National Representative Assembly, a Prince of Cilicia, a long-time benefactor of the Armenian Church, including the Eastern Prelacy, and the sponsor of the renovation of Noravank Monastery in Armenia.
Archbishop Oshagan will participate in the funeral services next week in Montreal.