Razmic Sarkies "Greg" Gregorian

AIKEN, SC - Razmic S Gregorian “Greg” died Monday, September 19, 2022 at his home surrounded by his children, Alexis Gregorian Horan of Cary NC and Razmic S. Gregorian, Jr. of Cambridge, MA. His wife of 50 years, Feaster Roof Gregorian, died ten years before him. He is survived by his children, Razmic and Alexis; his grandchildren, Matthew Horan and Olivia Grace Horan of Cary, NC, two sisters, Sonya Hilton (age 101) and Hermione Martin (age 91), both of London, UK. Six nieces and nephews, a goddaughter, 16 great nieces and nephews, and a burgeoning number of great-great nieces and nephews knew and loved him as “Uncle Greg” who always noticed them and made them feel heard, seen, and included. Born in 1924 in Calcutta, India to Armenian parents (Martyrose and Ripsy Gregory) from Julfa-Isfahan, Persia (now Iran), he was educated at the Armenian College of Calcutta and St Xavier’s College, University of Calcutta. He excelled in track, rugby, and soccer. He immigrated to the United States in 1947 to attend UCLA, earning among the first PhDs in Organic Chemistry awarded by that university. He lettered in soccer while at UCLA, primarily playing right wing. His career was in Organic and Polymer Chemistry at a variety of major companies, including MW Kellogg, WR Grace, United Merchants and Manufacturers, and Air Products. A constant theme of his work was to reduce environmental impact and improve safety. Notable contributions included energy efficient fabric and carpet dying using foam as a carrier medium, flame retardant cotton fabrics, and pressure sensitive water-based adhesives. He met his wife Feaster at an inauguration party for President John F Kennedy in Washington, DC, wearing a red cape, a black beret, and a goatee. His wife would later joke that she had thought he must have been a refugee. He became a naturalized US citizen later in 1961. Upon accepting a job with United Merchants in 1968 as Director of Research in Langley, SC, he relocated the family to Aiken. Baptized in the Armenian Apostolic Christian Church in Calcutta, he became a member alongside his wife at St Paul Lutheran Church in Aiken. Greg spoke often of his pride in being an American and his sense of wonder when he first arrived in the United States. He often said, “I never dreamed that such a place could exist, where you could become anything you wanted to be. I thought I was living in a fairyland, compared to the strictures and prejudices of the British Empire in India.” He was a lifelong learner and was constantly curious about the world at large. He loved teaching and shared his knowledge of gardening, music, art, science, and science fiction with friends, family, and caregivers. His children hope they have mastered his curry recipe. He was active in the seniors' Sunday School class at St Paul and a frequent lector, a service he took quite seriously: in 30 years three Bibles fell apart due to his diligent study of its content cover to cover. An avid traveler, he visited six continents in his life, making two trips to Europe in his 90s to visit his sisters and explore new places. He was an excellent bowler well into his 60s and an avid golfer. Later in life, he became passionate about bridge and poker. He was a 33rd degree Mason and served as Lodge Master in Aiken for several years, where enjoyed assisting younger men joining the lodge with their studies and assignments. A service of Christian Burial will take place at St. Paul Lutheran Church, Aiken, SC on Monday, September 26 at 11 am. The family will receive friends at the church following the service. Interment will be held at 3:00 at St Stephen’s Lutheran Church Cemetery, 119 North Church St., Lexington, SC 29072. Memorials may be made to the Gregorian Scholarship Fund at St Paul Lutheran Church, Aiken 961 Trail Ridge Rd., Aiken, SC 29803. SHELLHOUSE FUNERAL HOME, INC., 924 HAYNE AVE., AIKEN, SC 29801 To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Razmic Sarkies "Greg" Gregorian, please visit our flower store.