Charles Boornazian

Charles Boornazian, of West Hartford passed away after a brief illness on Saturday, March 7, 2015 at the age of 92. He was the beloved husband of Anne R. Boornazian, loving father to Charles H. Boornazian and Patricia Boornazian-Macdonald and big brother to Mary Boornazian. Charles exuded an endless amount of unselfishness, love, enthusiasm and concern for his wife, children and grandchildren. He was born August 30, 1922 in Hartford. Charles enlisted in the Marine Air Corps to proudly serve his country as a torpedo bomber tail gunner during World War II. After a brief stint as a machine operator at Pratt & Whitney, he went back to school to earn a degree in education. He graduated in 1951 from the first education class at Hillyer College (which later would become the University of Hartford), and then went on to become a beloved teacher at Buckley and Burr in Hartford. Charles earned his Master's degree and eventually became the principal at the Kinsella School in Hartford. He worked within the Hartford school system for 41 years, retiring June 10, 1992. Charles was devoted to the lives and successes of his students both in and out of the classroom. He was remembered by many former students as someone who went above and beyond the confines of his title to make a remarkable impact on each person who crossed his path. Even at the age of 92, he never lost his sense of humor, or everlasting compassion for anyone who was lucky enough to be around him. Charles was an avid supporter of the UCONN men's and women's basketball programs, and carried that passion over into the lives of his five grandchildren with their various activities and monumental accomplishments. He was also the master of discretely and quickly slipping a $20 bill to a stunned grandchild. Charles is also survived by his daughter-in-law, Barbara Boornazian, and son-in-law Andy Macdonald. "Pop" made a huge impact in the lives of his five grandchildren: Sarah Boornazian, Sean Macdonald, Bonnie Boornazian, Cameron Macdonald and Bryan Boornazian. He lived an exemplary and wonderful life, with honor, love, kindness, humility and the desire to help anyone at any time. A funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, March 13, 2015 at the Taylor & Modeen Funeral Home, 136 South Main Street, West Hartford. Burial with military honors will follow at Fairview Cemetery, West Hartford. Calling hours will be Thursday from 4 to 7 p.m. at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the American Diabetes Association, The Wounded Warrior Project, or the Alzheimer's Association. For directions and online condolences, please visit www.taylorandmodeen.com.