Obituary: The Late Avak Garabedian

Avak Garabedian 

July 27, 1938 to June 11, 2026

It is with sadness that we announce the passing of Avak Garabedian - husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend. Avak passed away on June 11, 2026 at the age of 87 in Toronto.

Avak was born July 27, 1938 in Beirut to Roupen and Vartanoush. He grew up in Beirut and went to school in Switzerland to study watchmaking. In 1969, he emigrated to Canada to start a new life. He brought his watchmaking skills to work on aviation instruments here. After several months on his own, he was finally able to bring his young family to join him. They were reunited on New Year’s Eve; December 31, 1969 and began their new adventure here. In 1975, he traveled back to Lebanon in the midst of a war to bring his mother and father to safety in Canada.

Avak switched careers prior to that time and began working with the Toronto Transit Commission where he served as a subway collector as well as a bus driver. That career would last almost 30 years.

Avak found great joy, first and foremost, in his family. He especially cherished each grandchild. There are many photos of him holding each new grandchild, bearing a huge smile at their mere existence.

He also enjoyed travel. He and Noyemi traveled to Armenia each year for 14 years, spending many weeks living life in Yerevan, absorbing the culture and heritage, eating local cuisine, travelling to historic sites, and just being present in the ancient homeland. They also spent many adventurous times travelling in the family RV to nearby beaches and across Canada, as well as flying to hot spots to enjoy down time at beaches with friends.

Avak had a real curiosity and interest in technology and collected the latest gadgets. His grandchildren would often be called upon to help him learn to use the tech. It didn’t always go well but everyone tried. There’s no doubt about Avak’s other love…cars. He bought, fixed, and sold cars frequently. It was rare not to find some new wheels on the driveway, with him underneath or head buried under the hood trying to make it work. He loved fixing things and tinkering with those cars and anything else that needed repair. He continued to work on watches long after that formal career ended and built grandfather clocks from kits. He enjoyed pulling the weights to “wind” the clocks and keep them telling time. The familiar chimes became part of life in the home.

Avak was diagnosed several years ago with Parkinson’s Disease. He coped with it with Noyemi’s constant support. A fall last year added to his physical deterioration. But the two of them continued to live life as they’d always intended. This once-determined and strong-willed man seemed to be a shell of his former self. But when family and friends showed up, the smile returned to his face and he would sit quietly now and absorb the presence of his loved ones.

We who remain behind will remember him with love: his wife of 64 years Noyemi (nee Moushian), daughters Rosine (Stacey) Gerhardt, Salpy (Bob) MacKenzie, and Karen (Alex) Koundakjian; those who cherished him as “deden:” Christina Gerhardt, Nicole MacKenzie (Nick Geringer), Matthew (Sara) Gerhardt, Anna MacKenzie, Victoria Koundakjian, and Christian Koundakjian.

He will also be lovingly remembered by his sister Makrouhi (Avedis) Moushian, nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.

He is predeceased by his parents Roupen and Vartanoush, his brother Zaven, and nephew Roupen.

The family thanks the many caregivers who have been his support over the years, especially Vergie, Mylene, and Levy who treated him with respect and devotion, as though he was their father; as well as his doctor Marie Marinosian who ensured he had health care in the home this past year when he was unable to attend appointments.

Even in our sadness, we celebrate the man and take comfort in knowing his pain is over and his eternal life has begun.

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