Obituary of Harry Apkarian

Niskayuna - Harry Apkarian, 87, of Niskayuna passed away while vacationing with family in Florida on March 3, 2009. He was born in Watervliet, NY, February 8, 1922. Mr. Apkarian graduated from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in 1946 with a bachelor of science degree in Mechanical Engineering. He was a Lt. J.G. in the Navy during WW II. Harry was an active RPI Trustee, volunteer and enthusiastic hockey fan and an avid golfer. Harry's accomplishments, awards, civic involvements were many; RPI Board of Trustees, Russell Sage College Trustee and Chairman, Albany Medical College Trustee, St. Gregory School for Boys Trustee, Siena College Sarazen Scholarship Fund - Chairman; Albany College Of Pharmacy - Advisory Board; Honorary Doctor of Science - Russell Sage College; RPI Life Patroon - Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute; Fellow - American Society of Mechanical Engineers; Recipient - Albert Fox Demers Medal - RPI Outstanding Alumni; VIP Award - Society of Manufacturing Engineers; Higher Education Service Award, Board of Trustees - Hudson-Mohawk Assoc.; RPI Alumni Distinguished Service Award (2009). American Seniors Golf Association Past Governor, Past President; Member of International Seniors Golf Association and LLX (Three Score and Ten); Capital Region 50 Group - Secretary/Treasurer; Capital Region Technology Development Council Director/Co-Founder; Capital Region Workforce Development Committee; Center City, Inc. Trustee; Habitat For Humanity Advisory Committee; Metroplex Authority Vice Chairman/Board of Directors; Proctors Theatre Chairman of the Board (16 years); Sch'dy County Community Business Center (Incubator) - Chairman; State Street Arts Center Chairman and Director; Sunnyview Hospital and Rehabilitation Center - Trustee; Union College Incubator - Board Member and Mentor Paul Harris Award - Rotary; Schenectady Patroon Award - Schenectady Highest Civic Award; Good Scout Award - Boy Scouts of America; Capital Region Business Hall of Fame; Third Age Achievement Award - Capital Region Senior Services Association. Albany Medical Center - Trustee; Calvary United Methodist Church - Administrative Board/Finance Committee; Center for Economic Growth - Director; Mohawk Golf Club - Governor (3 Terms); Republic of Korea - US Defense Industry Advisory Group; Schenectady 2000 - Director; Schenectady Hospice - Founding Board Member; Science Advisory Committee - Governor Hugh Carey; St. Clare's Hospital Foundation Board - Director; St. Peter Armenian Church - Building Committee; St. Peter's Hospital - Advisory Board; Albany Medical College and Albany Medical Center Committee for Merger; Founder and current CEO of TransTech Systems in Schenectady Harry is survived by his wife, Betty, and children Linda (Harry) Theisen, Laurie (Jack) Bruno, Nadine Apkarian, Bruce (Barbara Dreblow) Apkarian, David Harry (Tammy) Apkarian, and Jacquelyn (Albert) Russell. He is survived by 13 grandchildren, one great-grandchild, and many close friends and business associates . He was predeceased by brothers Charles Apkarian and Samuel Apkarian. Relatives and friends may call at the Jones Funeral Home, Inc., 1503 Union Street, Schenectady on Sunday, March 8, from 4 PM to 8 PM. Funeral services will be held at Calvary United Methodist Church 15 Ridge Place, Latham NY on Monday at 10 AM with interment at Memory's Garden, Colonie. In lieu of flowers, the family encourages contributions to be made in memory of Harry Apkarian to one of the following: Calvary United Methodist Church,15 Ridge Place, Latham, NY 12110, Proctors Theatre 432 State Street, Schenectady, NY 12305 or Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Office of the President, Attn; Hockey Program, 110 8th Street, Troy, NY 12180.