George K. Hagopian

George Hagopian, beloved husband, father, grandfather, and uncle, passed the evening of October 16th with his most treasured wife Helen and family surrounding him. George’s story is that of a true American Dream. His parents escaped the Armenian Genocide immigrating to America. He was very proud of his Armenian heritage and would refer to himself as a “thoroughbred” (wife and children included). George was born in Pawtucket Rhode Island and was the youngest of 5 children. He married his loving wife Helen Gochigian from Pittsburgh, PA. After a short time in Syracuse, they moved to Pittsburgh to be near Helen’s family and raise their three children Sarkis, Linda and Leslie. True to his American Dream story George served his country, faith and heritage. He served his country by enlisting in the Army during the Korean War. He served his faith by holding multiple roles over 30 years of active participation in St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church where his wife Helen was baptized. To this day they are members of that church, and he received communion in his home hours before his passing. He served and honored his Armenian heritage when he and Helen took an instrumental role of fundraising and assisting in the design and build of the Armenian Nationality Room in the University of Pittsburgh’s Cathedral of Learning. The offspring of this effort is today’s active Pittsburgh Armenian community. This organization worked with the Office of the Mayor of the City of Pittsburgh to announce a proclamation of Armenian National Day on Saturday, September 21st. As a result of his service to his country George enrolled in evening classes under the GI bill and earned an Associates Degree in Accounting. After working several jobs George landed a job at Mellon Bank. A few years into his job at Mellon, George somehow navigated his way onto the programming team and was a self-taught computer programmer. Throughout his 31 years at Mellon Bank, he used his problem-solving skills to design, build and run some of the most complex banking system programs at Mellon Bank. Many of which ran for years post his retirement in 1995. One trait that served George well throughout his life was competitive spirit. Over the years he played basketball, baseball, bowled and weekend pick-up football. At 6’ 1” George was able to dunk a basketball. He competed well into his 40’s and played with people half his age. George loved his country, his Pittsburgh Steelers and most importantly loved his wife Helen of 66 years and family. His family is and will always be his proudest legacy. George is survived by his loving wife Helen, their three children Sarkis (Neva), Linda, and Leslie (Marty); and his five grandchildren (Alek, Armen, Jacob, Samantha and Julianna). Friends will be received on Friday from 2:00 to 8:00 PM at the Bock Funeral Home, Ltd., 1500 Mt. Royal Blvd., Glenshaw. A Funeral Service will be held on Saturday at 11:00 AM in St. Andrews Episcopal Church. EVERYONE PLEASE MEET AT CHURCH. In lieu of flowers donations may be sent to Wounded Warrior OR St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.