John H. Malconian
July 4, 1930 ~ March 20, 2020
Resided in:
Westbrook, ME
Westbrook - John H. Malconian died peacefully Friday, March 20, 2020 at his home. John was the son of the late John O. and Yertchanig Malconian, survivors of the Armenian Genocide. He was born on the 4th of July 1930 in Portland, ME. He grew up in the West End of Portland, attended local schools, and graduated from Portland High School, class of 1950.
While still in high school, he was proud that he and fellow students volunteered in The Great Fires of 1947.
John enlisted in the United States Marine Corps Reserve while still in high school, and he was called to active duty in June 1950 at the start of the Korean War. After active duty, he served for many years in the Marine Corps Reserves. He became founding Commandant of the Marine Corps League, in the Weeman detachment of Greater Portland in the 1960s. He enjoyed playing Santa Claus in the League's Toys for Tots campaign.
After military service, John worked with his father in the family grocery business, Malconian's Market. For a short time, he worked at Foden Inc. and Haverty Buick before opening a new grocery business, also named Malconian's Market on the corner of Clark and Danforth St. in Portland, where he worked until he retired.
He served his beloved City of Portland by volunteering his time to the West End Development, Model Cities, and the Portland Housing Authority.
John never forgot that his parents escaped to this country from the Genocide of 1.5 million Armenians in Turkey. He initiated the first proclamation from the State of Maine to acknowledge the Armenian Genocide of 1915. He continued to pursue the proclamation as a proud member of the Armenian Cultural Association of Maine until its passage in 2012. John's efforts contributed to the creation of the Armenian Genocide Memorial monument on the corner of Cumberland Ave. and Franklin St., where many Armenian immigrants settled in Portland's Bayside Community.
John enjoyed his later years meeting with his friends "The Boys" at Tony's Donuts and McDonald's. He also enjoyed solving word problems. He was very active in the Portland High School reunion committee up until this year.
Most important to John, were the family gatherings that were the center of his heart.
John was predeceased by his beloved sister, Helen (Malconian) Shahtanian.
He is survived by his brother Robert (Josephine) Malconian of Portland, his sister Kathryn Malconian-Evert (Thomas) of Florida, his nephews Richard (Karen) Shahtanian, and John A. Malconian, his nieces Susan (Michael) Guzelian, Andrea Malconian and Sara Durgerian, several great nieces and a nephew.
In consideration of current events, there will be a private service for the family. A public memorial gathering will be announced at a later date. Arrangements are under the direction of the Conroy-Tully Walker Funeral Home of Portland. To view John's memorial page or to share an online condolence please visit www.ConroyTullyWalker.com
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to:
St. Gregory Armenian Apostolic Church of Merrimack Valley
158 Main St.
North Andover, MA 01845
Or
Camp Haiastan
P.O. Box C
Franklin, MA 02038
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John was a 1950 PHS classmate of my brother, Naj Lotfey, whom both worked on high school reunions. Sympathy to his family. RIP John. Nash Kerrigan
– Jeannie Kerrigan
It was our pleasure to have had conversations and memories of such a Great man at the Iroquois pool in Indian Creek, Fort Myers Beach, FL. He was a kind gentle man. We send our condolences to Kathy and family At this difficult time, love & prayers Ron & Barb Helton N Fort Myers, FL
– Barb Helton
Ruben Babayan Our deepest condolences to Bob and family, Kathy and family and all John’s nieces and nephews. Sending you lots of love and comfort, we are so sorry for your loss. John will be missed dearly by all of us. Ruben, Svetlana, Irina & Slava with families
– Ruben Babayan
Life goes on at its own pace. But some Memories can never be forgotten. John will always remain in our thoughts, he is still loved, still missed and very Dear. Rest in Peace. Sending to family our warmest thoughts. Svetlana and Ruben.
– Ruben B
We saddened to read of John’s death today in the paper. The Maiorano family first met John several years ago (1970) when our sister Concetta worked for Dr. Stephen Monaghan. Cetta and John remained friends thorough the years until her passing in 2016. Our heartfelt condolences to John’s family. Marie Maiorano Chenevert and Lucretia Maiorano Romano
– Lucretia Maiorano Romano
John was truly “the best of the best” and will be missed. I will neevr forget the memories of Portland visits over the years and the deep friendship of the entire Malconian family showed to me. Rest in peace, Big Guy. Judy Talanian Shagoury
– Judy Talanian Shagoury
John was a great man. We shared many good times in the Marine Corps and hanging out with our mutual friend Jim Donahue. SemperFi brother
– Francis amoroso
Our sincere condolences to your family & friends John! You were such a wonderful man, an incredible moral compass for all of the Westend kids! May you RIP and know that you were well liked/loved & respected in the neighborhood! Ann & Angela Doughty
– Ann Doughty
John and Family ” With deepest sympathy as you remember John” John & Carole Durgerian Derry, NH
– Carole Durgerian
I am so very sorry to hear the news of John’s passing. Truly a wonderful man, always a smile on his face, always a kind word expressed when he saw you. My deepest sympathy to family and friends for your loss Skip McDougall
– Skip McDougall
On behalf of the Southern Maine Detachment #1324, Marine Corps League, I wish to extend our deepest condolences to the friends and family of John H. Malconian. He served his country and community well. Semper Fi! Jaimy Friedrich, Chaplain of So. Me Det. #1324.
– Jaimy
So sorry to hear about John. I worked for him for five years back in the eighties. Had a lot of respect for him. I remember when I went in to see if I could get a job there. He told me that the only reason he did was that I could do figures in my head without the use of a machine. He taught me a lot working with him. Had a split shift. Did things his way and when the other manager came on duty….I had to do it her way. 🙂 There was another time this man came in and kiddingly said “stickem up” John had come from the back office asking what the problem was putting his finger in the mans back. The customer thought it was a real gun. He was kind to all that entered his establishment. While working for BJ’s he would come in and ask how I was doing. Love him & going to miss him dearly. RIP John
– LGreen6707@aol.com
I knew John as he was a great friend of my Uncle Naj & Aunt Barbara. He was always nice and welcoming to me–a dry wit! RIP John
– Jeannie Kerrigan
Dear Malconian family. It is hard to express how much John meant to myself, my father and our family. My father, Frank(lin) Leavitt – Gunner – was very close with John through their parallel Marine COrps service journey. That bond was never lessened or broken by time and now they are both healthy and basking in the light and love of our Lord. They began the Marine lunch held each month at the old Howard Johnson in Westbrook…suspended for right now, but will begin again as soon as possible. Besides their proud Marine heritage, they shared an even more important bond to me, Mary Leavitt Goulette. John went to school with my mother Barbara Nichols Leavitt, graduating from Portland High school together in 1950.She dies tragically young. He was one of the few people left on this earth that knew my parents when they were dating, high school sweethearts. I treasured his memories of them that he would share when I saw him at various Marine functions. He was a kind, giving, strong person who leaves behind a wonderful legacy but also a huge hole. You shall be missed – glad you are with Dad and telling your stories in peace and happiness. With loving gratitude, Mary Leavitt. PS My (step) Mom, Ella Leavitt also sends her condolences to the family and friends. She served with John and my father at the Reserve Training Center in Portland for a number of years. She remembers you as a gentleman and a kind person. Sleep well, Marine. Semper Fi
– Mary Leavitt Goulette
“The Boys” at Tony’s Donuts lost our Chairman of the Board last Friday. John was a beloved friend of mine. He will be missed by all the guys.My deepest condolences to Bob,Kathy and all of John’s nieces and nephews. Simper Fi. Dick Morris
– Dick Morris
Hey John, if in your travels you meet up with Ski be sure and say hello for me. I thought you would be with us forever so it seems impossible that you have departed for a new adventure. I am sad and missing you! Peter Howe
– Peter Howe
Bob and family, My condolences. God Bless, and say safe. From Sarasota, FL Rick Olfene
– rickolfene054@gmail.com
Uncle John was one of a kind.. He will be missed by all who knew and loved him… My prayers are with you. Rest in peace.. Asdvadz Hokin Loosavoreh Sharke ‘
– Sharke Der Apkarian
Dear Malconian family, Our hearts go out to you in this time of sorrow. Please accept our deepest condolences. Our entire family are deeply honored and blessed to have known John. We truly respected and admired John- he was an inspiration to us all. We will always remember John’s wonderful sense of humor every time we saw him. May the kind memories of John bring you comfort during this hard time in your life. Our hearts and prayers go out to you all. We will miss John dearly…. – The Gevorgyan family (Irina, Arman, Adrian and Simon)
– Irina Babayan