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GEORGE SARKIS KURKJIAN OBE LLD MA B Comm
 It is with deep regret that we have to announce the death of Mr. George Kurkjian, OBE, who passed away on 21st April, 2005 after an extended illness.
Mr Kurkjian was a generous benefactor, a prominent member of the Armenian Community of the United Kingdom and an eneregetic and dedicated President of the Management Trustees of the St Sarkis Church in Kensington.
The Armenian Community and Church Council of Great Britain wish to extend their deepest sympathy and sincere
condolences to his wife Mrs. Diana Kurkjian, his daughter Laura and family and his brother John Kurkjian and family. Mr Kurkjian's funeral service was held at St Sarkis Church, Iverna Gardens, Kensington W8
on Friday 6th of May, 2005
BIOGRAPHY
Elder son of Sarkis Nazareth Kurkjian and Astra Kurkjian.
Brother to John.
Married to Norma Giamgian (deceased 1981) with two daughters, Marina (deceased) and Laura, married to
Mark Kensington, with two dynamic grandchildren, Rebecca and Natasha.
Married Diana Meynell 1987.
Born 30 July 1928 Heliopolis, Cairo, Egypt. Resident in Britain since 1931
Died 21 April 2005, London, UK
1943-1950 Educated in England - Oundle School ('43-'47); In Ireland Trinity College Dublin ('43-'50)
Read Arts and Commerce BA B Comm, MA 1953
1950 Entered S N Kurljian Partnership, founded by Grandfather Nazareth Kurkjian in 1897 (Traders in
Commodities for the food industry.)
1954-2004 The management of the Armenian Apostolic Church funds worldwide was initiated by his Father,
Sarkis Nazareth Kurkjian and continued by him until last year.
(His successor is Stepan Ovanesaoff, Deacon and senior Trustee St Sarkis Church London.)
1967-1968 President, Incorporated Oilseeds Association of London (IOSA).
1969-1970 First President, Federation of Oils Seeds and Fats Association Ltd (FOSFA).
1970-1971 FOSFA incorporated the individual UK based international associations which handled global
transactions.
1973 Together with Brother John, reconstructed St Sarkis Church (Israeliian Street, Yerevan),
dedicated to their Parents Sarkis and Astra.
1975 Freeman - The City of London
1976 Awarded Order of St Gregory The Illuminator with Diamonds - highest award of the Armenian
Apostolic Church
1978 Hon President Apcar Trust London - Fund for Armenian widows and orphans.
1978 Liveryman - The Tallow Chandlers Company, City of London, England.
1978 Hon President, Managing Trustees of the Armenian Church of St Sarkis, London.
1981 Founded Norma Kurkjian Trust through the Armenian General Benevolent Union (AGBU).
Fund to help female students complete vocational training.
1981 Awarded Order of St Nerses Shnorhali - award of the Armenian Apostolic Church
1979-1980 Chairman - Chambers & Fargus plc, Hull
Processors of speciality edible oils, cakes, oil seeds and cocoa beans.
1985-1987 Committee Member, The Cocoa Association of London Ltd. (CAL)
1986 Awarded the Honour of Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE)
for services to the Oils and Seeds Trade.
1986-1991 Member Central Board, Armenian General Benevolent Union (AGBU), USA
1987-1901 Vice President, Armenian General Benevolent Union, Europe.
1988-2003 Chairman, AGBU London Trust.
1988-1992 Chairman, Aid Armenia. Registered Charity for earthquake relief, set up on the instruction of
His Holiness Vasken I of Blessed Memory, following the earthquake in Armenia in December 1988.
Project completed: in the first instance, emergency and humanitarian aid with funds from the
British Government of the day and YCARE, the Church of England
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