Obituary of Harold Gulamerian

Gulamerian, Eremia "Harold" - on Sep. 5, 2012, age 88, of Mill Neck, NY. Beloved husband of the late Josephine. Loving brother of Norman. Also survived by loving relatives and friends. Visiting Oyster Bay Funeral Home, 261 South St., Oyster Bay, NY, Friday 3-5 & 7-9 p.m. Funeral Mass St. Vartan Cathedral, 630 Second Avenue, New York, NY Saturday 9:30 a.m. Interment Calvary Cemetery. www.oysterbayfuneralhome.com Harold Gulamerian, Benefactor of Needy Armenian Children Harold Gulamerian is a successful businessman who was born in New York City in a family of immigrants originally from Van in historic Armenia. He and his brother, Norman, founded a business called Utrecht Art Supplies in 1949 which eventually grew into a major corporation with 14 retail outlets throughout the United States. The company was sold in 1995. Harold was married to the late Josephine Gulamerian who passed away in 2004. The couple visited Armenia for the first and last time in 1998 at the invitation of Catholicos Karekin I of Holy Etchmiadzin who was a close friend of theirs. The Gulamerians were very moved by their visit especially the condition of the children they met. Since they never had children of their own, upon returning home, they decided to establish the Harold and Josephine Gulamerian Foundation to benefit needy children in Armenia. The Gulamerians chose the Fund for Armenian Relief and the Catholicosate of Holy Etchmiadzin as the organizations through which they would implement their goal of helping children. Michael Haratunian and Louis Mazzola are the two trustees of the foundation. Since the year 2000 the Gulamerian Foundation has donated over $1 million to various projects in Armenia including: Children's Park in Etchmiadzin and the Ashtarak Children Center both under the direction of His Holiness Catholicos Karekin II. Gulamerian Vocational Training and Education Program for Orphans; Homeless Children Center; and the Giumri Information Technical Center (GITC); all under the direction of the Fund for Armenian Relief (FAR). All of these programs are continuing each year supported fully by the Gulamerian Foundation. Harold Gulamerian is presently under medical supervision at his home in Mill Neck, NY.