Hovhanes A. "John" Sarkis, of Southborough, Mass., born in Raqqa, Syria March 10, 1930, passed away peacefully in his home on March 23, 2016. Beloved husband of the late Andromaki "Annie" (Cotatgis). Father of Paul S. Sarkis, and John T. Sarkis and his wife Nicole. Grandfather of John-Luc and Dorianna Sarkis. His life's journey began in poverty in the war-torn Middle East but ended as an American Dream. Those who knew him say his story is a book waiting to be written. He was the youngest of 5 children whose father died before he was 10 years old and living in the desert of an embattled Syria. Unbeknownst to his family, he applied and was accepted to a private high school on the Island of Cyprus. Bravely traveling on his own, leaving his mother, brothers and sister, he spent his teen years there and gained an education not possible in his homeland. He became fluent in five languages, was very active in a number of sports both as a student athlete and later a coach, and developed an interest in vocal performance. After Cyprus he returned briefly to his family in Syria. His drive for self-betterment and education lead him once again to leave his mother and siblings and travel even farther away. At the age of 24, after a month long journey by boat, he landed at Ellis Island with $50 in his pocket, half of which he gave to his friend who had farther to go, and then changed his name from Hovhanes Mekhanadjian to John Sarkis. Two days later he performed as a guest vocalist at the Armenian Apostolic Church of Worcester, where he was ultimately ordained as a Deacon. Upon moving to Boston, he made several recordings which were pressed into 45's and sold in the greater Boston Armenian community. Working multiple jobs as a young student, he was able to earn a Bachelor of Science degree in Aeronautical Engineering from Boston University. He met and married "the most beautiful wife," Annie, whom he loved and cherished dearly. Within months of getting married, they moved to San Francisco, where he began his career in a new and upcoming field of computer science at the University of California. John and Annie started a family and decided to move back East, settling in Southborough, MA. He was employed in various positions at Polaroid Corporation for almost 20 years. He was involved in Southborough business, social and cultural activities for most of his time there. He may well be remembered as that motivating soccer coach, complete with a foreign accent! In his late 40's he took yet another course, drastically changing careers to start his own company in the field of commercial real estate brokerage. With his talkative flare and love of personal relations, he developed a successful business lasting into his late 70's. He was a devoted caregiver to Annie in her later ailing years, by her side right to her death at the age of 82. His animated character made him a riveting story teller. He would strike up a conversation with everybody he met. A trip to the grocery store could take hours. But his very obvious fascination with people and especially other cultures meant he loved more to hear what you had to offer. In his eternally optimistic way he was, to so many, a voice of reason, a trusted advisor, a mentor, the reason you love shish-kebab, and a source of inspiration. Visiting hours on Tuesday, March 29, 2016 from 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. at the Faggas Funeral Home, 551 Mt. Auburn St., WATERTOWN, MA. Relatives and friends are invited to attend. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to the Jimmy Fund, 10 Brookline Place, Brookline, MA 02445. Funeral Services and burial will be private. peacefully in his home on March 23, 2016. Beloved husband of the late Andromaki "Annie" (Cotatgis). Father of Paul S. Sarkis, and John T. Sarkis and his wife Nicole. Grandfather of John-Luc and Dorianna Sarkis. His life's journey began in poverty in the war-torn Middle East but ended as an American Dream. Those who knew him say his story is a book waiting to be written. He was the youngest of 5 children whose father died before he was 10 years old and living in the desert of an embattled Syria. Unbeknownst to his family, he applied and was accepted to a private high school on the Island of Cyprus. Bravely traveling on his own, leaving his mother, brothers and sister, he spent his teen years there and gained an education not possible in his homeland. He became fluent in five languages, was very active in a number of sports both as a student athlete and later a coach, and developed an interest in vocal performance. After Cyprus he returned briefly to his family in Syria. His drive for self-betterment and education lead him once again to leave his mother and siblings and travel even farther away. At the age of 24, after a month long journey by boat, he landed at Ellis Island with $50 in his pocket, half of which he gave to his friend who had farther to go, and then changed his name from Hovhanes Mekhanadjian to John Sarkis. Two days later he performed as a guest vocalist at the Armenian Apostolic Church of Worcester, where he was ultimately ordained as a Deacon. Upon moving to Boston, he made several recordings which were pressed into 45's and sold in the greater Boston Armenian community. Working multiple jobs as a young student, he was able to earn a Bachelor of Science degree in Aeronautical Engineering from Boston University. He met and married "the most beautiful wife," Annie, whom he loved and cherished dearly. Within months of getting married, they moved to San Francisco, where he began his career in a new and upcoming field of computer science at the University of California. John and Annie started a family and decided to move back East, settling in Southborough, MA. He was employed in various positions at Polaroid Corporation for almost 20 years. He was involved in Southborough business, social and cultural activities for most of his time there. He may well be remembered as that motivating soccer coach, complete with a foreign accent! In his late 40's he took yet another course, drastically changing careers to start his own company in the field of commercial real estate brokerage. With his talkative flare and love of personal relations, he developed a successful business lasting into his late 70's. He was a devoted caregiver to Annie in her later ailing years, by her side right to her death at the age of 82. His animated character made him a riveting story teller. He would strike up a conversation with everybody he met. A trip to the grocery store could take hours. But his very obvious fascination with people and especially other cultures meant he loved more to hear what you had to offer. In his eternally optimistic way he was, to so many, a voice of reason, a trusted advisor, a mentor, the reason you love shish-kebab, and a source of inspiration. Visiting hours on Tuesday, March 29, 2016 from 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. at the Faggas Funeral Home, 551 Mt. Auburn St., WATERTOWN, MA. Relatives and friends are invited to attend. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to the Jimmy Fund, 10 Brookline Place, Brookline, MA 02445. Funeral Services and burial will be private.