Leon D. Mahakian

Staff report

July 23, 2008 12:37 pm

— Zionsville
Leon D. Mahakian
1923-2008
Leon D. Mahakian of Zionsville, formerly of Hialeah, Fla., died July 16, 2008. He was 85. Born in Boston on March 2, 1923, he was the son of the late John and Terviz (Mourakian) Mahakian.
On Sept. 17, 1951, he married Louise Melkonian, and was married for 56 years; she survives.
A U.S. Army veteran, he served during WWII with the 26th Combat Corp. of Engineers, building bridges in occupied France and Germany. Mr. Mahakian, a gifted educator who taught for 55 years, remained in contact with many former students whose lives he influenced. For 25 years he was vice principal and activities director for Miami Springs Senior High School. He found great joy and satisfaction in his involvement with his students. He was a member of the Rotary Club, a 50-year member of Dalhousie Masonic Lodge of Newtonville, Mass., and a longtime member of the Knights of Vartan. He and his wife were members of St. Mary Armenian Apostolic Church before moving to Zionsville, where they attended St. Francis in the Fields Episcopal Church.
Mr. Mahakian was an avid reader who excelled at bridge, rooted for the Red Sox, and enjoyed time spent at the horse track with his friends and fellow teachers. He loved his poker buddies, and was never happier than when he was in the company of his beloved family or competing with his grandsons and daughter at tennis.
Survivors include his daughter, Dr. Karen Mahakian (husband Dr. David Rardon); grandsons Michael and Jack Rardon; sister-in-law Judy Melkonian and niece Nairi Melkonian.
A funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, July 23, at St. Francis in the Fields Episcopal Church, 1525 Mulberry St., Zionsville, with burial following at Zionsville Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Mary Armenian Apostolic Church, 4050 NW 100 Ave., Hollywood, FL 33024 where an Aug. 31 memorial service is planned.