Notable Impact

 Popken Hachigian was a prominent leader and activist for the Armenian Cause throughout his entire life. He was one of the founding members of the Armenian Youth Federation (AYF) in 1933, and served on one of its first Central Executive Committees. He was also an active member of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF), and served as Chairman of its Armenian National Committee. Popken also played a significant role each year in organizing the Armenian Genocide commemorations in Springfield. He was a dedicated member and 40-year trustee of St. Gregory Armenian Church. 

Professionally, Popken and his two brothers  owned Koffee Kup Bakery for 50 years which was a beloved dining institution for generations in the Springfield area.

Armen Tashjian was a devoted member of St. Gregory Church his entire life. He used his artistic skills in the field of photography both professionally and personally. 

Professionally, Armen worked as a Commercial Photographer for Milton Bradley, Progressive Machines, and Westinghouse where he took photographs of their products for their sales catalogues. Personally, he was the "church historian" whose demure presence allowed him to take thousands of photographs at church events over numerous decades; Many of which are attached in this section of the church website. 

Ardash Aykanian was a renowned engineer, who holds more than 40 patents. He was a member of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF), the Board of Trustees,  Chairman of St. Gregory Church, Choir Director, and was an advisor for the ARF Eastern Region Central Committee. 

In 1951, Ardash started work as an engineer for the Monsanto Chemical Corporation where he invented the process to make Foam Core. In 1967, he co-founded the Flexible Plastic Straw Corporation in MA, which would go on to produce the first flexible plastic straw. A year later, he invented the spoon straw; his work for this invention resides in the Design Study Collection at MoMA. Around this time, Ardash worked with dermatologist Setrag Zacarian to develop a cryosurgical spray for the treatment of skin cancer. 

Gary Setian has been a treasured member of St. Gregory Church his entire life. He and his family have been instrumental in the growth and prosperity of the Armenian community, both in Indian Orchard and in Armenia. Over the past 50 years, he has served as a Church Trustee, NRA Delegate, Executive Council Secretary, and Gomideh member. 

Gary spent his entire 40-year professional career with Bay State Gas, starting as a Junior Draftsman and retiring a Senior Vice President. During that time, he traveled to Armenia 15 times as a USAID Consultant. There, he developed a safe way to distribute natural gas to residents and implemented a new billing system.  

Dr. Setrag Zacarian was a world renowned Cryosurgeon, who developed the first hand-held, self-pressurizing device to administer liquid Nitrogen. His pioneering research is still the primary method used to treat certain dermatologic conditions today. 

Setrag received myriad awards for his contributions to the field of Cryosurgery and their applications to Dermatology. These awards included: Outstanding Servant of the Public Award, the American Medical Association Physician's Recognition Award and a Presidential Citation from the American College of Cryosurgery. In addition, he was a Professor of Dermatology at Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, the Albany, N.Y., College of Medicine, and Yale University Medical School. Lastly, he assisted the editorial boards of numerous medical journals. 

Andon (Andy) Meregian (middle) and his brothers Nishan (right) and Kazar (Kay, left), owned the State Street Diner in Springfield for over 40 years. What started as a modest establishment in a small diner car, grew to become an area landmark in a large diner car on State Street. The brothers employed generations of young Armenians, as well as students from the surrounding colleges, to work in the diner and on the numerous catering jobs throughout the city of Springfield. 

In the late 1950's The State Street Diner won a bid to provide hot lunches to all public schools in Springfield. For at least 15 years the diner made and delivered more than 3,000 lunches everyday so that students would be able to purchase a hot lunch. This program was so successful that both Springfield College and American International College contracted with State Street Diner to provide dinners to their athletes after late night practices and games. The diner was also known for its large catering capabilities and was hired by many Springfield area organizations to cater their events.

 Onnik Melikian was a founding member of St. Gregory Church, and a pillar of the community for over 60 years. Onnik was the chairman of the church building committee when it was established in 1934, and was instrumental in establishing Indian Orchard as a vibrant Armenian community for those seeking refuge after the Genocide. 

Alongside his career as a coremaker at the Chapman Valve factory, he also built a significant portfolio of commercial and residential real estate as the president of Melikian Realty Trust. He played a key role helping new immigrants from Armenia resettle in the area by offering them low- or no-cost housing in the apartments he owned. Active on the church board of trustees, and a longtime member of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation, he fervently believed a strong community was central to the survival of the Armenian people.