Obituary for Alexander Haidarian
Alexander Haidarian - Also known as Al (and in younger days, Allie) was born May 3, 1928 and entered Eternal Life on August 11, 2022 at age 94. May God rest his soul. Al served his country in the Korean War from 1950-1953 as a Gunner for the US Army. He was stationed in Germany and attained the rank of Corporal. Al was an active member of the American Legion for over 70 years. He served as chaplain for many years and wrote some of the most beautiful cherished prayers. We are grateful for his service to our country and for his proud active role as a veteran in the American Legion.
Al was never one to sit still. If he was not putzing in the garage or building something with scrap metal, he was busy scrapbooking (before it became a “thing”) creating dozens of collections of sayings and prayers that were meaningful to him. He loved golf. He traveled across the state enjoying various cities and friends. He went deer hunting every season with his beloved friend, buddy, and brother-in-law Matt Kademian. He visited Camp American Legion yearly where he’d send postcards to his family and fish all day long. He rode a bike when he could, and as a machinist, he built the most beautiful 12-foot cookout grills with scrap metal and a few favors from his friends who worked in metal fabrication shops. He was a lifetime member of the YMCA and part of the Body Builders Club where worked out 6 days a week until just 3 years ago. Al would win every push-up contest at the annual Sports Show in Milwaukee (and this was in his 70’s and 80’s!). Every year he’d travel to Canada with his friends, flying in to fish on a serene lake. Al loved to visit the Oak Creek American Legion and where he would be greeted with a Cheers-like welcome, “Hey Al!!” and would take his favorite seat in the corner and drink his one and a half beers. Al never sat still until COVID forced him to be apart from his sweetheart and many of the activities he dearly loved.
Al was a proud family man. He enjoyed Door County and made hundreds of memories there with his daughter and grandson Oliver. All of his grandchildren were the loves of his life and brought him incredible joy. He lit up when they were around, doting on them and loving them, sneaking them candy when their parents weren’t looking, or even letting them take control of his riding mower. This was much to Jim’s chagrin when his son James panicked and drove straight into their minivan. Al was a generous man who helped anyone who asked.
Al had a huge determination to live and was quite a fighter. At age 82, Al had open heart surgery, which included a bypass and a new valve. Our family stood by, and he survived with flying colors. Al was back on his feet in no time.
Al's wife Mary passed away nearly 30 years ago. It took some time but eventually, Al was set up by his barber. Al was 82 at the time. He called his daughter and declared, “I’m sorry I haven’t called in a while. I met someone. An older woman. She’s a dancer.” While this left much to the imagination, it turned out Dottie and Al were a good match. She taught him how to ballroom dance, and he taught her how to fish and play pool. They enjoyed many things and including Door County with Andrea & Oliver. Every day for the past 10 years, Al went to Burger King for his morning coffee and paper. He’d sit down, they brought the coffee to his table, and just before he'd leave, they’d bring a decaf. Al hopped in the car, drove to Dottie’s house, and left the hot coffee for her to enjoy once she awoke. Although Al and Dottie never married, Dottie became a part of the family and fit right in with everyone.
Our dear Dad, Brother, Uncle, Grandpa, Grandpa Al, and Papa Al is survived by family: son, Jim (Crystal) Larkins; daughters, Marian (Pat) Doyle, Teri Haidarian, Andrea Zehnder; sisters Margie Kademian, Patsy Worzola. His grandchildren: Shelly (née Doyle) Markowski and Shawn (Danyel) Doyle, James (Kathryn) Larkins, Drew (Tara) Larkins, and Oliver Zehnder. His great-grandchildren: Correy Markowski, Emalee Markowski, Brady Doyle, and Justin Doyle. His great-great-grandchildren: Shayn Bartlett, and Wesley Markowski. He has many nieces and nephews, and many who always helped and stayed in touch with him often. You know who you are. Al is also survived by his sweetheart, Dottie Sitte. Al had dozens if not hundreds of friends he met along the way.
Al is preceded in death by his dedicated wife, Mary Haidarian (née Wojnowski), sister Mary (née Haidarian) Chobanian, brother-in-laws Matthew Kademian and Mike Chobanian, and his parents, immigrants from Armenia who fled the Armenian Genocide in 1915, Hairabed and Shushanik (Harry and Sue). Many of his close friends have also passed on. We are grateful he is reunited with friends and family and with our Lord.
Our family wishes to thank the many nurses, aides, and staff at the VA Hospice who lovingly cared for our father in his final weeks. They kept vigil along with our family. He was in qualified hands and received the best, most compassionate care. Our family is grateful for all who loved and cared for our father over the years.
A special thank you to Dr. Jeff Whittle whose compassion, skill, and friendship kept our father upright all these years. There are not many doctors who take the time to answer every text and phone call personally (and there were many!). Dr. Whittle cared deeply about the American Veterans at the VA Hospital, and our father was no exception. He made time for our dad and cared deeply about him. Dr. Whittle, our father tried really hard to get you that bonus. Thank you for your years of care. You are a one of a kind and we will always be grateful for you.
Visitation at Holy Resurrection Armenian Church (909 Michigan Ave, South Milwaukee) on Tuesday, August 16 from 9:30 to 11 AM with a funeral service at 11 AM. Interment Holy Resurrection Armenian Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials to Holy Resurrection Armenian Church appreciated.
Al was never one to sit still. If he was not putzing in the garage or building something with scrap metal, he was busy scrapbooking (before it became a “thing”) creating dozens of collections of sayings and prayers that were meaningful to him. He loved golf. He traveled across the state enjoying various cities and friends. He went deer hunting every season with his beloved friend, buddy, and brother-in-law Matt Kademian. He visited Camp American Legion yearly where he’d send postcards to his family and fish all day long. He rode a bike when he could, and as a machinist, he built the most beautiful 12-foot cookout grills with scrap metal and a few favors from his friends who worked in metal fabrication shops. He was a lifetime member of the YMCA and part of the Body Builders Club where worked out 6 days a week until just 3 years ago. Al would win every push-up contest at the annual Sports Show in Milwaukee (and this was in his 70’s and 80’s!). Every year he’d travel to Canada with his friends, flying in to fish on a serene lake. Al loved to visit the Oak Creek American Legion and where he would be greeted with a Cheers-like welcome, “Hey Al!!” and would take his favorite seat in the corner and drink his one and a half beers. Al never sat still until COVID forced him to be apart from his sweetheart and many of the activities he dearly loved.
Al was a proud family man. He enjoyed Door County and made hundreds of memories there with his daughter and grandson Oliver. All of his grandchildren were the loves of his life and brought him incredible joy. He lit up when they were around, doting on them and loving them, sneaking them candy when their parents weren’t looking, or even letting them take control of his riding mower. This was much to Jim’s chagrin when his son James panicked and drove straight into their minivan. Al was a generous man who helped anyone who asked.
Al had a huge determination to live and was quite a fighter. At age 82, Al had open heart surgery, which included a bypass and a new valve. Our family stood by, and he survived with flying colors. Al was back on his feet in no time.
Al's wife Mary passed away nearly 30 years ago. It took some time but eventually, Al was set up by his barber. Al was 82 at the time. He called his daughter and declared, “I’m sorry I haven’t called in a while. I met someone. An older woman. She’s a dancer.” While this left much to the imagination, it turned out Dottie and Al were a good match. She taught him how to ballroom dance, and he taught her how to fish and play pool. They enjoyed many things and including Door County with Andrea & Oliver. Every day for the past 10 years, Al went to Burger King for his morning coffee and paper. He’d sit down, they brought the coffee to his table, and just before he'd leave, they’d bring a decaf. Al hopped in the car, drove to Dottie’s house, and left the hot coffee for her to enjoy once she awoke. Although Al and Dottie never married, Dottie became a part of the family and fit right in with everyone.
Our dear Dad, Brother, Uncle, Grandpa, Grandpa Al, and Papa Al is survived by family: son, Jim (Crystal) Larkins; daughters, Marian (Pat) Doyle, Teri Haidarian, Andrea Zehnder; sisters Margie Kademian, Patsy Worzola. His grandchildren: Shelly (née Doyle) Markowski and Shawn (Danyel) Doyle, James (Kathryn) Larkins, Drew (Tara) Larkins, and Oliver Zehnder. His great-grandchildren: Correy Markowski, Emalee Markowski, Brady Doyle, and Justin Doyle. His great-great-grandchildren: Shayn Bartlett, and Wesley Markowski. He has many nieces and nephews, and many who always helped and stayed in touch with him often. You know who you are. Al is also survived by his sweetheart, Dottie Sitte. Al had dozens if not hundreds of friends he met along the way.
Al is preceded in death by his dedicated wife, Mary Haidarian (née Wojnowski), sister Mary (née Haidarian) Chobanian, brother-in-laws Matthew Kademian and Mike Chobanian, and his parents, immigrants from Armenia who fled the Armenian Genocide in 1915, Hairabed and Shushanik (Harry and Sue). Many of his close friends have also passed on. We are grateful he is reunited with friends and family and with our Lord.
Our family wishes to thank the many nurses, aides, and staff at the VA Hospice who lovingly cared for our father in his final weeks. They kept vigil along with our family. He was in qualified hands and received the best, most compassionate care. Our family is grateful for all who loved and cared for our father over the years.
A special thank you to Dr. Jeff Whittle whose compassion, skill, and friendship kept our father upright all these years. There are not many doctors who take the time to answer every text and phone call personally (and there were many!). Dr. Whittle cared deeply about the American Veterans at the VA Hospital, and our father was no exception. He made time for our dad and cared deeply about him. Dr. Whittle, our father tried really hard to get you that bonus. Thank you for your years of care. You are a one of a kind and we will always be grateful for you.
Visitation at Holy Resurrection Armenian Church (909 Michigan Ave, South Milwaukee) on Tuesday, August 16 from 9:30 to 11 AM with a funeral service at 11 AM. Interment Holy Resurrection Armenian Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials to Holy Resurrection Armenian Church appreciated.