Kevork S Mesdjian

MADISON - Kevork S. Mesdjian, age 93, of Madison, passed away on Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2023, at Agrace. He was born on July 1, 1930, in Kirkuk, Iraq, the son of Stephan Mesdjian and Goulian (Klamazian) Mesdjian. He was united in marriage to Lidia Sarkisian on Nov. 27, 1955, in Baghdad, Iraq.

Kevork was loved immensely by his family and friends and will be greatly missed. He was an expert in bringing smiles to others. He loved to work, but more importantly he loved his family and friends dearly especially his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He was a true “people person” who sought out friendships and established a community around him quickly.  

He was a recognized athlete, enjoying soccer, volleyball, shot put, and pole vaulting. He loved to dance and relished Lidia’s cooking.

Kevork worked hard all his life and he loved it. He had many jobs back home in Iraq, first of which he worked alongside his father in his blacksmith/tin shop. Kevork’s work with his father was the start of his passion for his engineering/mechanical skillset of which he went on to develop with several large Iraqi construction/engineering companies over the years (Iraqi Petroleum Company in Kirkuk, Iraq, Domez Ballot in Dokan, Iraq, and Central Lab and Concrete Works in Baghdad, Iraq).

In 1971, he moved his family to the United States for better opportunity and started working just three days after arriving. Already having decades of experience (but limited English), Kevork was quickly hired by Meier Trucks/Badger Coaches as a diesel mechanic where he worked for 20 years, retiring in 1991. In retirement Kevork found a perfect part-time job at Boston Store, where he worked for another 20 years as a handyman which he enjoyed greatly as it gave him the opportunity to fix things (known in the store as “MacGyver”), make people smile, and get great deals for his family.  

Kevork is survived by his wife of 68 years, Lidia; sons, Haroot K. (Laurie) Mesdjian and Shant Mesdjian; grandchildren, Stephan (Leana Nakielski and her children, Emiliano, Akira and Ricardo) Mesdjian and Alexander (Cortney) Mesdjian; great-grandchildren, Aiden Mesdjian, Luca Mesdjian and Oliver Mesdjian; brothers, Herair Mesdjian, Khajak Mesdjian and Natan Mesdjian; sister, Takouhy Koshkerian; and many other much-loved relatives. He was preceded in death by his parents, Stephan and Goulian; brother, Haroot S. Mesdjian; sister, Loucin Nabboud; and great-granddaughter, Brielle Mesdjian.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at ST. ANN CATHOLIC PARISH, 323 N. Van Buren St., Stoughton, at 12 noon, on Wednesday, Dec. 6, 2023, with Father Randy Budnar presiding. Burial will take place at St. Ann Catholic Cemetery. Following the burial, there will be a luncheon at the church. Visitation will be held at the church from 11 a.m. until the time of the Mass on Wednesday.

Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.

Gunderson Stoughton
Funeral & Cremation Care
1358 Highway 51 N. @ Jackson St.
(608) 873-4590