In the Steps of Dikran

Dikran gave me the highest title of my life, that of being a mother. I had the joy of experiencing every stage of his life, his first steps, his first words calling me “mom” His graduation from school and university, his success in his career, his marriage that granted me the joy of being a grandmother to his children. He has filled my days with true happiness. “You’re the best mom ever” was the phrase he repeated frequently and it was the message he sent me from hospital the last week of his life.

​

After a year of his passing, Dikran is ever present in the life of our family on a daily basis. We keep remembering his gestures of love, loyalty, moral support, loving care and concern for each of the family members. He is greatly missed as our most beloved son, dad, husband, brother, uncle and cousin. He is part of our lives and guides us through the chaotic days we all are passing. His ability to find solutions to problems, his optimism, his courage in the face of impossible situations accompany us and guide us through these dark days.

​

Dikran grew up during the Civil War in Lebanon. As a student of the International College located in West Beirut, he had to cross the most dangerous roads from East to West Beirut accompanied by his mother and brother. Sniper fires and shells threatened their lives on a daily basis and Dikran received his baptism of fire during his teen years on his way to school.

​

In 1991 the war had ended and Dikran started his university education at LAU majoring in Finance and Accounting. He received his BS and MBA degrees in 1995 and 1998 with high academic standing. His career began at Ernst and Young Auditing company which led him to become Chief Financial officer of Wunderman Thompson Middle East and North Africa. He enjoyed the high esteem and appreciation of his colleagues and the heads of the multinational companies he served.

​

Dikran established his family in year 2004 with Silvie a young woman with university education. They were blessed with a son Arek and a daughter Sarig, who they brought up with excellent parental skills. Dikran wanted them to study at his school, International College to make sure they received the best education he could provide them. He took them to trips abroad to broaden their mental horizon. In year 2018 he took his son to Moscow to attend Football World Cup which proved to be a most memorable experience for Arek.

​

In spite of his constant work travels, Dikran created time to serve the Armenian Community in Lebanon. He volunteered as financial consultant to a number of organizations guiding their steps in their educational, cultural and social service projects. He helped young Armenian University students by providing them with training opportunities for the completion of their degree requirements. He also placed them in international companies to help them build their careers.

​

In his capacity as a Deputy of the Armenian National Assembly of the Prelacy of Lebanon, he represented the Holy Resurrection Church in Rmeil District. Throughout his two terms as representative of the church, he contributed to the welfare of the needy families and was instrumental in the distribution of hot meals for months before and after the port explosion in Beirut on August 4, 2020.

​

His warm and loving personality brought under his roof colleagues, friends, acquaintances and family members who enjoyed his generous hospitality. Together with his wife Sylvie, they created a haven of love and solidarity during all the years of their married life. Dikran’s optimism, enthusiasm, passion for life dominated the home atmosphere and got passed on to those who had the privilege of being in their immediate surroundings.

Dikran’s son Arek and daughter Sarig have vowed to make the dreams of their father a reality. His legacy will remain in the life of his family as a beacon of light that will illuminate our path as we go through the suffering imposed on us by the tragic death of Dikran.

​

May we find courage to continue our life with Dikran’s beautiful memories guiding us to perform deeds that relieve pain and bring comfort to people going through a life of suffering.

​

May he rest in eternal peace.

​

Your mom ever,

​

Azadouhi Simonian Kalaidjian

​

֍ 

​

2019 March 10

Happy birthday, dear Dikran

It is with great joy that I wish you a happy birthday. Your adult years are filled with successes, reaching the top of your successful career as CFO of your company JWT. There is great respect and appreciation for your excllent performance in your high position, and there will certainly be more opportunities for your advancement. On the family level, you are an exemplary dad to Arek and Sarig. They adore you and have you as a pillar in their life. You spend quality time with them all the hours you are home. An excellent rapport is created between you and your children. Your influence on them is getting stronger year after year. You will be their model in their teen years. You are a most loving husband to Sylvie and your love for her is truly great. The way you keep your father’s memory is very moving and an everyday event in your family circle.  Your loving care of me makes me feel most secure and happy. You try to provide me with the emotional and spiritual support that your dad poured on me for which I am grateful. You enjoy high esteem in your social relationships and are greatly appreciated by friends. I wish you and pray for you that your plans for the future come true. With love and deep appreciation, Mom

Father’s Day, June  2019

It is Father’s Day today. It is great to see you in your role as a father. I have gone through your years as father to Arek and Sarig and have marveled at your being such a great father to them. You express your love in many ways. Your overall supervision is most effective and you are wise in planning the present for their best future. The move you made in placing them at IC proved to be the best for their academic future. The sacrifices you make for them to take them to various activities over weekends or at other times deserve recognition.  The time you spend with them is most valuable for their development as independent youngsters full of self confidence. Encouraging them in their pursuit of knowledge with joint ventures with them is praiseworthy. Complete communication with them on all matters have established close ties with them which is so important for their personalities to be shaped in the best way possible. Your immense love for them has secured their growth intellectually, socially and psychologically. Your generosity to supply them with the best like trips abroad annually, the various activities they are engaged in that cost a lot, the high standard of living you provide which they enjoy are privileges they will always be thankful for. May God give you the strength you need to work and to travel, to give a life to your son and daughter that in your view is the best. May they fulfill all your dreams for their future in close collaboration with their mom Sylvie, who is a most perfect mother and educator. God bless your family. Happy father’s day my son; may all your days be filled with success and happiness. You are a father like your own father Bebo, whose immense love built you up as successful career oriented young men, you and Razmig. You are highly appreciated in your careers internationally and companies are fortunate to have you as members of their steering teams, leading the companies to prosperity and growth.

[Dikran’s reply, 2019]

All you said about me being a father, I owe it to you and dad. As I always say when people talk to us positively, it is because of your upbringing. Nothing else. It's the truth azadig. You and dad are what we have today.