ARK... Global Journeys for Young People to Build Peace
TRIBUTE TO MY BELOVED HARRY from ARK Director, Judy Maghakian
ARK filled the mind of Harry with creativity. He was challenged by the opportunity to connect with you. You represented the world to him and he was grateful and proud to be connected with you.
But this was his style. He leaves behind his attitude toward the world. He had a love for life and an openness to all. He treated strangers with a response that communicated respect and interest in them as persons. He loved individuals and asked them to tell him their stories. He challenged ingrained prejudices that keep us from enriching our lives with friends who are black and brown and yellow and red and white. Who are other than we are. Whose lives are different than ours. Who have much to teach us about the many other ways of being in this world. He believed ARK was constantly rethinking all the old ideas that are now so much in conflict with the world around us. He worked tirelessly to support ARK as a bridge of trust through relationships and knowledge to promote peace.
We were looking at ARMENIA for the next ARK gathering the summer of 2019. I WILL CONTINUE THIS SEARCH WITH THE HOPE THAT WE WILL GO TO ARMENIA NOT TO CELEBRATE HARRY BUT TO HONOR A PEOPLE WHO HAVE SURVIVED A GENOCIDE AND SEEK TO BE REPSPONSIBLE WORLD CITIZENS.
I know Harry would want to hug each one of you and look you in the eye and SAY GIVE YOURSELF TO THE REAL ISSUES OF LIFE: LOVE, RESPECT FOR ALL AND ENERGY FOR PEACE BUILDING.
Thank you for letting me share a glimpse of My Beloved Husband of 59 years, Harry.
Judy Maghakian ~ ARK Director
FROM THE ARK FAMILY We shall love one another with energy, intelligence, imagination and love!
"Love and compassion are necessities, not luxuries. Without them, humanity cannot survive," said Dalai Lama once.
"I've met Harry only a few times, but I saw and I believe he gave all his love to us, his family, friends and society with only one purpose – to make this world a better place to live. ARK is one of the proof that he succeeded. I am the proof, you are, who are reading this, you are, who met him at least once in your life. We all are the proofs of his greatness. Continue your path wherever you are!"
Matas Drukteinis, LIthuania
!Que lamentable noticia!
"Lo conocí y lo recuerdo como un miembro activo de ARCA, con sus reflexiones que buscaban entender el mundo en el que vivimos y sus deseos de tener un mundo mejor. Que el Señor Todo Poderoso lo tenga gozando de su Santa Gloria. Harry siempre será parte de la gran familia ARCA"
DIOS BENDIGA A TODOS LOS QUE FORMAN PARTE DE ARCA
Jose Leonel Tun Ajpuac, San Lucas Toliman, Guatemala
"I am honored and blessed to have known Harry. He was truly a blessing in my life. In all four ARK four summits I took part in, Harry was always there with his leadership and wit. He made us laugh especially in some moments when we needed to relieve some stress or anxiety. The purpose was to make everyone get involved and to add a special flavor to ARK. He gave everyone equal respect. He is someone who says what he means and means what he says. We will be missing Harry very much. His wonderful and gentle soul will forever remain in our hearts."
Sami Abu Ghazaleh, Palestine
"I have never met Harry but know of his work, and Judy's, through ARK. An incredible international organization for Peace and progress through unity and mutual support. I have the highest regard for all the benevolent work Harry has initiated and continued for many many years making our world a better place. May God Bless him and bring peace to his family."
My deepest condolence to all who admired and loved Harry.
Olivia Grajeda, USA
"I am deeply saddened to hear of Harry's passing. Harry was an amazing man with a love for life and a keen determination to help and support all people. He will always be around and in the hearts of those he touched."
May God rest his soul.
Kumars Toosie, Iran
"Harry brought a certain warmth to ARK. Always comical. Evidence that age is nothing but a number. For someone who has been to only two ARK gatherings, he sure made me feel at home. Even with just a smile."May his soul rest in eternal peace."
Wali Kayamba, Malawi
“Knowing Harry in many capacities and roles over the span of 38 years it would be most difficult to say enough. He was magnetic, always kind, andalways dreaming up creative ways to help anyone who needed it. We never heard him speak an unkind word to anyone. He was a master fundraiser but always in order to make something important happen. We miss him."
Arlene and Les Freeburg, USA
“Harry was an amazing soul. I will never forget Harry and Judy's friendly banter back and forth during meetings. Their connection and love for each other was so beautiful. On another note, I recall on our way to Bethlehem in 2005, we had a long layover in Madrid and either our flight was cancelled or we missed the connection. Either way, the group was going to be separated. Half of the group took the Israeli airline El Al and the other half arrived much later on I believe a Swiss airline which was much more accommodating and comfortable. As we were waiting to board our flight on El Al we were in a holding space with several armed guards carrying AR15's. Harry decided this would be a good time to make jokes. That went over like a lead balloon. The awkwardness in the room was thick but it was typical Harry and we giggled about it later. Harry was a gem and his gifts will long be remembered."
Peg Hodapp, USA
“Harry was a great peacemaker.
He had a human heart and an organizer's talent. Harry did not divide people into important and small. His special feature was an amazing sense of humor. Every minute of the conversation with him was a gift."
Rest in Pease, Harry.
Dalia Kiseliunaite, Lithuania
“Harry was a one of a kind sort of person. There were no strangers to him, only friends he hadn't yet met. He traveled through the world with open eyes, an open heart, and a unique gift of finding something special in everyone lucky enough to cross his path. He will be missed."
Stacy Severson, USA
"Harry, I didn’t know you long, but it feels like I knew you forever. That summer in 2015, you were hobbled with a walker, yet managed to get around better than most. What you showed me at that moment, continued in our conversations to follow, you get along better than most. You taught me that one’s situation is not their circumstance.
You and Judy had gathered people from around the world in the 2015 Summer of ARK to emphasize that point. You were a master at taking challenging situations, whether of people or of churches to changing their circumstance into something fruitful.
You took a situation of poverty of a community, abandonment of a church and addiction of a people to create a circumstance of positive transformation. As a result, you became a legend and I am made better, by having met you, having spent time with you, and having an opportunity to break bread with you, Judy and George Todd. At that fancy restaurant, with its fancy linen tablecloths and fancy drinking glasses, you still ate spaghetti and meatballs. What a powerful lesson in humility, that I will keep with me for the rest of my life.
Harry, I am specially diminished by your death, because in the words of Rev. John Donne’s 17th Meditation, “any man’s death diminishes me, because I am involved in mankind.” But you were not any man, you were a special man, so I am specially diminished. Friend, thank you for the time you shared with me on Earth. I will treasure it my whole life long and then look to that day we will reunite in eternity. I will not “send to know for whom the bells tolls,” because your passing is a divine reminder that it tolls for each of us. Rest in peace my friend, and if I am certain of one thing at this moment, spaghetti and meatballs are on the menu in heaven. Love to you always.
Your disciple, Cornell.
Rev Cornell Edmonds, NYC, USA
Espiritu de Dios/ Spirit of God Espiritu de Dios llena mi vida, Llena mi alma, llena mi ser. Spirit o God, fill my life Fill my soul, fill my being. Y lléname, lléname, lléname, con tu presencia, Lléname, lléname, con tu poder. Lléname, lléname, con tu amor. And fill me up, fill me up, fill me up With your presence fil me up, fill me up With your power, with your Love. And fill me up, fill me up, fill me up With your presence fill me up, fill me up With your power, with your truth.
music offered and often led by Chiqui Ryan
ARK Malawi Will Miss Harry...
"Harry was a father to many of us. He never wanted to leave us - ARK family alone even when his body was telling him otherwise. A day on crutches with ARK family for him was better than many days in very comfortable conditions elsewhere. We learned so much about valuing everyone from Harry." Wali
"We all came to ARK very young; almost babies; Harry was already matured, wiser and a father and founder yet he chose to treat us as friends and equals. Years passed and we grew but still younger and less wise; yet he treated us all like peers. What a humble gesture he showed to us all. Harry will always be missed and his life will be celebrated for this." LOVE (CHIKONDI)
"Harry was engaging, friendly and funny." WONGIE
"Harry was a good man with a very fatherly heart. He gave his whole heart towards raising peacemakers from different nations. I will forever be grateful to God for him for the vision he had for ARK and for connecting us with other people from other nations. May his soul continue to rest in Peace." FAVOUR
"Harry's life was so special, it's worth writing so much about, and declaring it out to the world. So many people would be inspired as they flip the many pages of his life. Especially the page that would describe how he showed me love and direction. He was a man of sacrifice and I learned from him. He was awesome. May His Soul Rest in Eternal Peace." CHRISTIAN
"After the tears have dried and the goodbyes have been said, all we have to hold onto are the happy memories that we've shared with our loved one Harry who have passed, this is what keeps them alive in our hearts and in our minds, and they will continue to live on through us. Although no words can really help to ease the loss you bear, just know that you are very close in every thought and prayer.
I am at a loss of words, and I don't know what to say to you to help you feel better. PLease accept my condolences. I'll be praying for you." PROFESSOR DIXIE MALUWA BANDA
TO JUDY AND FAMILY: OUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS ARE WITH YOU JUDY AND FAMILY...REMAIN BRAVE AND MAY GOD'S RAIN OF PEACE AND COMFORT RAIN.
“My best memories of Harry come from when I used to volunteer at the church office and free internet center. I was there a couple hours a day for three or four days a week because it was just off campus, and a good place to get work done and chat with Harry. Every week Harry would discuss topics that would eventually become parts of the next week’s sermon. I got to hear the thoughts and insights that went into each sermon before I heard the actual sermon. There was always so much more than Harry could fit into the allotted time on Sunday. I wish I could remember some specific quote or anecdote, but mostly I remember an overall sense of wisdom, faith and confidence that the message would resonate with those who needed it." Kevin Parsneau, USA
photos below provided by Kevin -
Harry and Judy at baseball game; Harry as minister at Andrew Riverside Church
