Obituary of Peter Tarpinian

Peter Tarpinian

1935 - 2023

We are sad to announce the death of Peter Tarpinian, who passed on Sunday, October 15, 2023 at the age of 88, following a lengthly struggle with MDS. He died peacefully at home in Port Washington, New York, surrounded by family and a few of our beloved family dogs. He will always hold a massive place in our hearts.

He leaves behind his beautiful wife and our mother, Patricia Anne Tarpinian, and their four children: Peter Tarpinian, Gregory (Kimberly) Tarpinian, Anne (Richard) Tarpinian, and Andrew (Maura) Tarpinian. He is also survived by many cousins, nieces and nephews, in addition to his grandchildren and great-grandchildren: Peter (Rebecca) Tarpinian, Michael Tarpinian, Katherine “Kate” (Eli) Tarpinian, Luke (Tina) Tarpinian, Nicholas “Cass” Tarpinian, Aidan Tarpinian, August “Gus” Kushnir, Ryan Kushnir, Leo Kushnir, Paige (Joshua) Leonard, Mila Chicoine and Olivia Tarpinian. He is predeceased by his parents, Krikor and Serun Tarpinian, his sisters and brother, Berjouhi Tarpinian, Beatrice “Betty” (Russell) Cobb, and his brother John (Sharon) Tarpinian. He is also predeceased by many beloved aunts, uncles, and cousins.

Peter was born in New York City on September 14, 1935. He is a first generation American. He proudly served in the United States Air Force as an aircraft engineer mechanic with the 4050th Air Refueling Wing (SAC) and was honorably discharged from active duty on June 17, 1960. He graduated from Queens College and began his career in the airline freight business, working out of Kennedy Airport. He married the love of his life, Patricia Anne Hackett, on May 3, 1959, and started a family that he cherished until his last breath.

Peter was the rock of our family. He was a strong and supportive husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. He was beloved and regarded as a father figure by much of our extended family and many childhood friends. He taught us countless lessons including how to swim, how to dive, how to play sports and exhibit good sportsmanship, how to fish, how to drive, how to fix cars and anything around the house. He loved and showed us how to be kind to animals, but most importantly he taught us how to live honorably, to be generous, and to put family first. His loss will be felt far and wide and we will all miss him for the rest of our lives.

A wake will be held on Sunday, October 22nd between 4:00pm and 8:00Pm at the Fairchild Sons Funeral Home located at 1570 Northern Blvd., Manhasset, NY. A funeral Mass will be held on Monday, October 23rd, at 9:30am at St. Peter of Alcantara Church, located at 1327 Port Washington Blvd. in Port Washington. There will be a burial ceremony at the Nassau-Knolls Cemetery at 500 Port Washington Blvd, followed by a funeral repast to be announced. In lieu of flowers, please consider donation to Good Shepherd Hospice of Nassau County, your local Hospice provider, or the American Red Cross (blood donations are also encouraged).