Hagop "Hoc" Garabedian

died peacefully on October 12, 2025 after a 2 year, and 1 month battle with pancreatic cancer. His loving sister Sofie and longtime companion June Kevorkian were by his side.

Hagop was the son of caring and loving parents, the late Kachig Garabedian and Diruhi (Torkomian) Garabedian.

Hagop was born in Stuttgart Germany on September 10, 1947. With the help of The Armenian National Committee for Homeless Armenians (ANCHA) Hagop and his parents arrived in New York, then arrived in Providence RI, on November 19, 1949. They settled at a house at the rear of 14 Doyle Ave, Providence RI, and in 1955 they moved to Douglas Ave, the heart of Smith Hill, which was also known as the Armenian section.

He attended Candace St School, Nathanael Greene, Hope High school and then onto URI where he received a Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics.

His love of music started at the age of 6, when he began taking accordion lessons. At the age of 10 he performed at the Veterans Memorial Auditorium.

As a kid he loved working at his paper stand on the corner of Washington and Mathewson St. For a few years he worked at the Outlet Co. After finishing college he worked as a bank examiner. He realized going to work with suit and briefcase was not the job for him, so he spent the next 50 years as a musician playing keyboards at clubs, family and church events. In addition to Armenian music, he branched out to Greek, American, Persian, Arabic, and anything in between. He played all over New England, New York, Canada and Florida. He also volunteered his time to do fundraiser events for Leukemia, at nursing homes and for dance competitions. Hoc loved sports especially track. He was in the AYF Olympics, and he also ran the Boston Marathon. He once rode his bicycle from Providence to Boston and back. In his 60’s you could see him running the track at Hope High school.

If he had a second name it would be Mr. Home Improvement. He was a quick learner. He never called an expert to do work. He did it himself, he worked as a tile setter (like his father), an electrician, auto mechanic, painter, carpenter, and plumber. He fixed everything that needed fixing, and when he was done, he would teach you how to do it.

He never stopped doing favors for people. He delivered furniture in his old green truck, took friends to the doctor, ran to your house if something needed to be repaired. He was good to everybody, he never let you down. He was fair with people, honest and respectful.

He was the happiest when he played music. You were guaranteed to have a good time, always joking, always saying something funny. He was a good, good man. He will be missed.

He is survived by his loving sister, Sofie Garabedian, his longtime companion, June Kevorkian, relatives in California and Armenia. Sincere thanks for the love and support from his best friends, Jack D, George D., Ralph F., David Papi, Teo S., John R, his cigar buddies, and his fellow musicians especially Juny and Mike.

Visiting hours are Monday, October 20th at Sts. Vartanantz Armenian Apostolic Church, Providence from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. with a Funeral Service at 11 a.m., followed by burial in North Burial Ground, Providence.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Sts. Vartanantz Church, 402 Broadway, Providence, RI 02909