Ara M. Baltayan
Ara M. Baltayan, age 94, of New Haven, passed away on August 7, 2015. Ara was born in Istanbul, Turkey on September 6, 1920, he was a son of the late Garabed & Nuvart Baltayan. Ara was predeceased by his loving wife, Mary Arakelian Baltayan. He is survived by his daughter Rosemary 'Ro' Baltayan & her husband Ronald Morris of Dahlonega, GA; sons Arthur Baltayan & his wife Linda of New Haven and Charles Baltayan; grandchildren Charles & Adam Baltayan, Raymond & Melissa Morris and daughter in-law Mary Baltayan. Ara attended Robert College for degrees in Mechanical and Electrical Engineering followed by a Masters in Engineering at Yale. He excelled in Research and Development for many years before self-employment as a Professional Engineer. Philanthropic activities include Rotary International where he served as Past President of the New Haven Club and was awarded the Paul Harris Fellow Award, Outstanding Service Award and Rotarian of the Year Award. As a long standing member of Christ Church, he served as Senior Warden for many years. He loved photography and sailing his little sailfish at Owenego. Friends may attend his Funeral Service held on Wednesday, August 12, 2015 at 11:00 AM in Christ Church, 84 Broadway, New Haven, followed by his interment in the Church's Memorial Garden. Contributions in his memory may be made to the New Haven Rotary Club, P.O. Box 1737, New Haven CT 06507 or to Christ Church, 84 Broadway, New Haven, CT 06511. Arrangements are in care of Beecher & Bennett Funeral Home, 2300 Whitney Ave, Hamden.
An intelligent, self-sacrificing man. The world was a better place thanks to his presence. May he rest in peace and those that were dear be at peace with his passing.
Ara truly believed in ‘Service Above Self’ – the motto of Rotary International. He served as president of the Rotary Club of New Haven with distinction – guiding a club with over 200 business leaders in the late 1970s, and in 1997 he was the recipient of Rotary District 7980’s Donald A. Adams Outstanding Rotarian Award – chosen from over 3000 Rotarians in the southern half of Connecticut. He will be truly missed.
Charles & Family,
I was sorry to hear about the passing of your father.
He certainly was a remarkable man, I see where you got your passion from Charles.
Please know I will keep him and your family in my prayers.
Deepest Sympathy
Linda Connors
Dear Charlie and Family –
We were very sorry to learn that your Father had passed away. Please know that we are thinking of you, your Mother, and your entire family.
With sincere sympathy-
Connie & Curtis Hill
Dear Family of Ara:
I have had the pleasure of knowing Ara over these many decades. He was always the ultimate gentleman and good friend. Often he would anticipate a need and fulfill it before anyone realized it had to be done.
I remember well both Ara and Mary and always enjoyed seeing them at Rotary International events.
Rejoice in the good memories you have of him. I know that I will.
Abraham I. Gordon, Past Rotary International Vice President
In the late 70’s when back from school for summer break, I cold called every thing in the phone book that had engineering in its name. Ara answered and listened to my story. He asked me to repeat my name and he said hold on a minute. He knew my father from Rotary Club and then said come down to talk to him. I worked for him that summer, learned a lot, and made mistakes. He was always kind and helpful. At the end of the summer we parted ways and he wrote me an awesome reference letter that helped me to gain confidence and advance my career. I still have the letter. Not living in the the NH area since those days, I was thinking of him and wondered if I could come back to thank him. I was sad to learn I am at least two years too late. Thank you Ara for helping this then young man. Alan Beale