We are no longer accepting applications for the 2010 - 2011 academic year.  The deadline for submittal of applications for the 2011 - 2012 academic year is May 31, 2011.

The John M. Azarian Memorial Armenian Youth Scholarship Fund was formed in 1976 following the untimely death of John M. Azarian, Sr., beloved husband and father.  Mr. Azarian was the son of Armenian immigrants and worked hard his entire life to serve the Armenian church and its community.  He worked unselfishly for St. Leon’s Armenian Church and was instrumental in relocating the church from Paterson to Fair Lawn, New Jersey.  He was a founding father of the church in its new location and served for many years as an elected member of the Parish Council, specifically acting as Treasurer, on Fund Raising projects, and capital programs.

Mr. Azarian started from humble beginnings, growing up in Paterson, New Jersey.  He put himself through college, attending Seton Hall University in West Orange, New Jersey, and graduated with a degree in Accounting.  He passed the CPA exam and became a practicing accountant, initially with Peat, Marwick and Mitchell and he later started his own practice with an office in downtown Paterson, New Jersey, which he later moved to Hawthorne, New Jersey.  Besides being devoted to the Armenian church, Mr. Azarian also worked hard to help others and volunteered a considerable amount of his time to various charities.

Since its formation, the John M. Azarian Memorial Armenian Youth Scholarship Fund has awarded over $500,000 in grants to assist financially deserving Armenian students who might otherwise not be able to complete their undergraduate studies.  It is our hope that someday those we have helped will be able to give something back to those who are less fortunate.

Sadly, Martin G. Azarian passed away suddenly on April 18, 2009.  Marty was a beloved husband to Geraldine, son to Barbara Azarian McCullough, nephew to Ed Azarian and Joyce Avedisian and brother to John, brother in law to Donna and Uncle to Alyssa, Amanda, John III, and James. 

Marty grew up in Wyckoff, New Jersey and graduated from Ramapo High School.  He graduated in 2000 from St. Thomas Aquinas College in Sparkhill, New York.  He was an assistant property manager for The Azarian Group, L.L.C. and was a fireman with the Wyckoff Fire Department Company #1 for over 20 years.

Marty was a big fan of the Yankees, and enjoyed playing all sports.  He also enjoyed visiting firehouses and interacting with other firemen, American History and travelling. 

                                             Remembering Marty

                                   by Barbara Azarian-McCullough, Ph.D.

             My son Marty passed away on April 18, 2009.  As a family we have been working on special ways of keeping Marty’s memory alive and remembering Marty.

             I always tried to instill in my sons to have goals and to work to attain those goals.  Marty always had 3 goals in life that he worked to achieve – to graduate college, get married and become a fireman.  And I am so proud of Marty for having worked so hard and attaining his goals.

              Marty was not physically able to pass the fireman’s test but because he worked so hard and was so dedicated the firemen of Company 1 in Wyckoff made him an Honorary Fireman.  Marty wasn’t allowed to go to fires, for liability reasons, but they put Marty in charge of staying at the fire house and directing firemen to fires.  Marty took this job very seriously and derived satisfaction from this important role.  Marty also helped with Fire Prevention Week at the firehouse. 

               Marty graduated from St. Thomas Aquinas College in 2000 with a Bachelors of Arts degree.  It was difficult, at times, for Marty to complete his courses but he persevered and did graduate.  Dr. Margaret Fitzpatrick, President of St. Thomas Aquinas College (STAC ) and a wonderful personal friend personally spent time with Marty helping him complete his courses.  Marty was so happy when he graduated!

                Chronologically, last but certainly not least, was Marty getting married.  Marty was so in love with his wife Gigi and even in his later days when his health was failing he only wanted to be with Gigi.  Gigi was a wonderful, loving and supportive wife who endured some difficult times with Marty near the end.

                 In Marty’s memory John and I have been working on some special things.  First is a new, outside patio behind Fire Company 1 in Wyckoff, which will be dedicated to Marty.  We have been working closely with the Fire Department on developing the plans for the area.  We will be donating the money to build this patio area and it will have a bronze plaque, with Marty’s likeness and name.  We anticipate this will be completed by this Fall (see plan below).  If you would like to be invited to the ribbon cutting in Marty’s memory please let me know.

                  The second project we are working on in Marty’s name is a memorial scholarship at St. Thomas Aquinas College.  We hope to have this in place for the Fall Semester.

                  When Marty passed away the Firemen approached us and asked if they could do a special “Firemen’s Service” in Marty’s memory.  We had no idea what that entailed but of course we were honored and said yes.  The special Firemen’s Service began the evening of Marty’s viewing when at least 30 firemen, in dress uniform, came to the service.  That was so touching, but only the beginning.  The next morning the firemen arrived with no less than 7 fire trucks (thank God there wasn’t a fire in Wyckoff!) filled with firemen in dress uniforms and placed Marty on the first truck.  We then proceeded from the Funeral Home to St. Leon Armenian Church in Fair Lawn, via back roads.  As we passed people on the road they didn’t know if we were a parade or going to a fire!   When the church service was over we had about 70 cars (in addition to the 7 fire trucks) which then proceeded to the Cemetery in Wyckoff.  On the way the fire trucks went back to the fire house.  We didn’t know what was planned or what to expect.  They stopped in front of the fire house garage and slowly opened the garage doors.  The garages were, of course, empty since the trucks were in our procession, and sitting there in the empty garage was Marty’s Fireman’s uniform propped up.  It was incredibly touching!  The firemen then came to the cemetery and many ultimately came to the repass lunch.  This special “Firemen’s Service” truly was special!