Sam Charbogian

On July 10th, 2014 beloved husband and father, Sam Charbogian, age 92 went home to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.   He was born on February 11th, 1922 in Mohawk, Michigan.    He was the son of Simon (Der Giragoshian) and Serpouhi-Margaret (Achichanian) Charbogian of Tomarza, Armenia.  Simon and Margaret each had previously lost their first families during the Armenian genocide.  They met after immigrating to America where they married.   

Dad was raised in Detroit where he worked at the River Rouge Ford Motor Plant prior to enlisting in the Army during WWII.  In 1942, during a trip to Wisconsin, he met the love of his life, Mary Chorbajian.  After a whirlwind courtship of 3 months, on September 5th, 1942, they were united in a marriage that lasted ~ 72 years.  WOW !        

After living a year in Detroit, the young couple moved to Racine where they lived happily for the past 72 years.  Dad was employed by the United States Postal Service for over 30 years, retiring in 1979.   Dad is survived by his beloved wife, Mary, and their five (5) children, June (Steve) Boese of Racine, Sherry Charbogian-Leiber of Racine, Nancy (Rob) Jorgensen of Waterford, Mark (Linda Gunderson) Charbogian, and Cindi (Jeff) Stewart of Racine.

Dad is also survived by 12 grandchildren and nine (almost 10) great-grandchildren.   Grandchildren: Jeff  Boese, Jenny Boese, John Leiber, Dr. Michael (Katie) Leiber, Julie Leiber (Jarrod) Kollwelter, Joshua (Angi) Jorgensen, Ani Jorgensen (Nick) LaFave, Rachel Jorgensen (fiancé, Chris Grobarchik), Bryan Charbogian, Hallie Charbogian,  Samuel Stewart and Abigail Stewart.
 
Great-grandchildren:  Carter, Cadence and “soon to be” baby Leiber; Paige, Brianna and Jaclyn Kollwelter; Eli and Jack Jorgensen; and Rain and Ari LaFave.

(His children, grandchildren and great grandchildren were a constant source of “noise” and JOY). 

Dad is also survived by nephews Myron (Kathy and family) Chorbajian and David Chorbajian, niece, Maryruth Chorbajian and many other wonderful relatives and friends. 

Dad was preceded in death by a whole lotta people, including his parents, sister Sarah, and his brother in-law & sister in-law, Peter and Shirley Chorbajian. 

Dad was a survivor.  As a member of the “greatest generation” he lived through the Great Depression and WWII.  Married and raising a family of five (5), he was without a car for the first seven years of their marriage as he walked to work every day, summer and winter.  Working 2 jobs for almost 20 years, Dad sacrificed many things gladly for the love of his family.  Dad often noted that the Bible stated that man was generally given 70 years or 80 years “if by reason of strength” so he knew he was blessed to make 92 by the grace of God.   He never had a harsh word for family or friends as he always gifted us only with his support and love while he sheltered us from harsh realities of life.  His work ethic and loyalty to his family and friends has been a treasure for us all to emulate.  Dad always remained a genuinely unaffected man, never changing his open and friendly demeanor to friends and strangers alike.  Generous to a fault, he was without guile.   

Mom and Dad designed and built their “dream home” in Wind Point in 1963 where they lived until the time of his passing.  Dad’s interests outside of the God & family included “Big-band” music and collecting records of that era, building & flying model airplanes, traveling and going annually to the EAA fly-in in Oshkosh.  In his latter years, Dad reveled in taking neighborhood walks, always stopping to chat with neighbors who become like a 2nd family to him.  Our family cannot adequately express our gratitude for the love and affection their neighbors & friends showered upon them on a daily basis.  You embraced our parents, treating them as family and they were blessed by your Love.  You know who you are – God Bless each and every one of you!

A Funeral Service will be held at Racine Bible Church – Wednesday, July 16th, 2014.
• Visitation 12:00 pm – 3:00pm, with,
• The Funeral Service commencing at 3:00 pm.  

Private Interment will be held on Thursday, July 17th, 2014 at The Southern Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery with full military honors.

Our family will be forever grateful to the wonderfully caring and knowledgeable staff of All Saints Healthcare.  You lifted our hearts as we saw Dad smile in response to your compassionate and expert care.