MICHAEL DEVEJIAN was born in Aleppo, Syria, in July 1934, to Minas and Nectar (nee Odabashian) Devejian.  Both of his parents were orphaned survivors of the Armenian Genocide.  He was their first born.  Michael was baptized in the historic 15 ^th century Armenian Cathedral of the Forty Martyrs, in Aleppo.

Following Michael's birth, his mother, Nectar, had two more children, neither of whom survived.  Nectar herself succumbed to illness and tragically died in 1942, when Michael was only eight years old.  As a result, Michael's bond with his father, Minas, was deep and unbreakable, and their love endured until Minas' death in 2003.

In 1945, Minas married Araxie (nee Ghukasian), and their family was blessed with the births of Michael's brother, Zaven; and sister, Alice.  Araxie was a loving and devoted mother to Michael, providing him with affection and kindness. Minas and Araxie built and provided a model home for their three children, filled with faith in God, and love and respect for one another. Araxie was a true mom to Michael for his entire life, and a wonderful grandmother to his children.

The family soon moved to Beirut, Lebanon, where Michael began an apprenticeship, learning how to install, maintain and repair commercial and industrial refrigeration, heating, venting and air conditioning equipment.

As a single young man, Michael loved watching movies and would often spend his free time on the weekends at one of Beirut's famous cinema houses.  He fell in love with the United States from watching old westerns, mysteries, dramas and matinees.  A few of his favorite films include Twelve Angry Men, Judgement at Nuremberg, High Noon, and almost anything starring Robert Mitchum, Gregory Peck or John Wayne.

Michael was not born in America, but America was born in him. So perhaps it was inevitable that Michael moved to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in 1964, and as he once said, "my life finally started."  In Philadelphia, his Aunt Zabel provided a temporary home for Michael, from where he began to fulfill his American dream.

Michael quickly found employment, and for the rest of his career was known as a dependable, trustworthy and conscientious employee.  His superiors would regularly assign Michael with extra work and responsibility, since they knew he would work until the work was done.  One of Michael's first lessons to his children was, "if a job is worth doing, then it's worth doing right."

After a few years in America, Michael was in his early thirties and was missing his family and eager to start one of his own.  In a matter of two years' time, Michael had bought a house, brought his parents and siblings to Philadelphia, and met the love of his life, Yeran (nee Sinanian). They were soon engaged.

Michael and Yeran married in December 1968 at Holy Trinity Armenian Church, in Cheltenham, Pennsylvania.  Their son, Armen, was born in 1969, and daughter, Sonia in 1972. He loved his family unconditionally, and no sacrifice was too much for him to bear.

Michael was a hardworking, diligent and generous provider for his family.  He doted on his children, and his parenting strategy – simple, yet effective – consisted of the following three statements:What did your mother say?

1. I don't think that's a good idea.
2. I love you.

The one word that perhaps best describes Michael's relationship with his wife and children was tenderness.

Michael continued to work, and devoted his after-work hours to his only hobbies: spending time with his kids and playing backgammon with his father, brother, friends, and pretty much any random opponent – human or digital – he could find.  Michael was a Master Backgammonist, having learned everything from his father, Minas.

Michael's role in the Armenian Community of Philadelphia included serving on the Board of Directors for the Armenian Sisters Academy, in the Ardashad Lodge of the Knights of Vartan fraternal organization, the Mesrob Mashtots Society, and the Boy Scouts of America.

Life in Philadelphia was like the Wonder Years for Michael's family, but Michael wasn't quite done yet with his American dream.  In 1976, Michael, Yeran and the kids traveled to California for the first time, for a summer vacation.  Soon afterwards, Michael announced to the family that they were all moving to Fresno, California, and in 1981, they did.

By the Spring of 1982, Michael and Yeran had purchased a home on 2 ½ acres of fig trees northeast of Clovis, California, and an alteration shop with dry cleaning service in downtown Clovis.

Michael quickly bought his first pair of cowboy boots and several Stetson hats, much to the curious dismay of his children.  Michael loved owning land, especially the fruit-bearing trees, and within one year, had added apricot, peach, plum and lemon trees to the garden.

Michael and Yeran's home was the center of the social life of his children and their friends. With an expansive back yard, a swimming pool, hot tub, large, covered patio and tall, shady trees, it was the place to be on a warm summer's night or a cool winter's day.  Michael and Yeran were also active parents in their children's growth in their faith, regularly volunteering to chaperone, drive and supervise countless church youth group outings for more than a decade. It's safe to say that Michael and Yeran didn't enjoy a Memorial Day Weekend or Thanksgiving Holiday for more than 15 years, as they were either hosting banquets or driving all over the state to attend conventions.

Over the next twenty years, Michael worked banking industry, traveling throughout the State of California, often taking Yeran and Sonia with him – from San Diego in the south all the way to Eureka in the north.  The only other woman Michael ever loved was his daughter, Sonia, who was the light of his life and most adoring fan, and who has inherited his wicked sense of humor, gentleness and kind heart.

Michael finally retired from full time work in 2001, and dedicated his time and energies to his grandchildren, to the Saint Paul Armenian Church Men's Forum, the Saint Paul Choir, and the Yeprad Lodge of the Knights of Vartan.  He most enjoyed the fraternal bonds he formed and strengthened while cooking in the kitchen, working the barbecues, selling drinks at the church picnics and making his famous Jajukh . A personal favorite pastime of his was an annual camping trip to Dinkey Creek, CA, with his Knights of Vartan brothers. He wouldn't miss it for the world.

In retirement, Michael and Yeran also discovered the pleasure of cruising, and traveled to a number of distant and exotic ports.  Michael's most memorable trips, however, were his three trips to an independent and free Armenia, following the collapse of the Soviet Union.

Michael was also an avid collector of "treasure", as Yeran described it. His collecting was to such an extent that Michael's first-born grandson, Luke, one day asked his mom if Papa was a pirate.

Michael was always quick with a dad joke, and no one laughed harder than he did at his own jokes. His lifelong friend, Cardinal Sicola from Philadelphia, can attest to Michael's wit and ready humor.

Michael loved Yeran's cooking – her Imam Bayildi and famous cheesecake were two of his personal favorites.  Michael also loved ice cream – a characteristic inherited from his father, Minas, and passed on to his son, Armen.  Rumor has it that his grandchildren also continue on the family tradition of being ice cream connoisseurs – they could always talk Papa into stopping by Rite Aid on their way home from school or soccer for a scoop or two.

As his retirement years passed, and especially following several heart surgeries and beating prostate cancer, Michael began to slow down.  He had been in declining health for the past few years, and endured an especially difficult and painful time since October 2019.  Yeran personally cared for him through the best of times and the worst of times. She was at his side through it all, and nurtured him until the very end.  Fortunately, Michael never felt alone or lonely in the final weeks and days of his life – Yeran and Sonia were constantly at his side, providing him with exceptional care and patient love.

Michael entered his eternal rest on Tuesday, June 16, 2020. He died at home, peacefully of natural causes.  He is survived by his loving and devoted wife of more than 51 years, Yeran, and his children and grandchildren:

Armen Devejian and his wife, Kendra, and Armen's sons, Sirak and Saren.

Sonia Torossian, and her three children, Luke, Lauren and Trey Torossian.

Michael is also survived by his dear brother, Zaven, his wife, Berjouhie, and their children; and his devoted sister Alice Dakessian, her husband, Mardig, and their children.

Michael died as he lived: Quietly with strength, with a smile ever-present on his face, showing kindness to all, and love in his heart.  As Yeran said on his last day on earth, "Michael did no harm to anyone that he met – he instantly liked everyone he encountered."

May God accept the soul of our husband, father, grandfather and friend into his heavenly kingdom, and not tire too quickly from hearing the same dad jokes over and over again.