With sad regrets we announce that on January 19, 2007 Yeghpayer Sarkis "Sako" Topalian; one of the original founders of our New York chapter died of cancer. Born in 1942 in "Haleb", Syria Yeghpayer Sako immigrated to NY in the early 70's. In 1976 he joined the movement that had started to re-establish a Homenetmen chapter in NY. In 1977 when the chapter was established he along with Vartkes Vartanian - Chairman, Nishan Gharibian, Vartkes Hagopian, Antranik Keshishian, Hovanes Mardirossian, Ohanes Mashevejian, Joseph Nakashian, and Garbis Panossian were the first executive committee members.
Over the years Yeghpayer Sako was an executive committee member, special committee leader and an all around supporter. He remained an active members till the end. At our October 2006 dinner-dance Sako was once again present and helped us out at his usual role as a bartender. The Armenian community, the NY community and mostly Homenetmen of New York have lost a great person, friend and a Yeghpayer.
