Gregory Tcherkoyan's Obituary
Gregory Tcherkoyan
2/17/34 - 10/15/22
Gregory Norman Tcherkoyan died suddenly and unexpectedly on October 15, 2022. He was 88 years old. Greg was born in Detroit, Michigan, the first child of Hratch and Queenie Tcherkoyan. But the family he was born into was much larger than that; a whole constellation of grandmother, aunts, uncles and cousins lived close by and were one another’s daily companions. From a popular song, his aunts re-christened him “Cookie”, and the nickname stuck for the rest of his life. A sister, Diana, joined the family; and then they were complete. Greg remembered those early days always fondly and with great affection and loyalty.
The family moved to Fresno, where Greg completed high school and community college. They were immersed in the Armenian community, and there Greg began a commitment to the Armenian Church that became a cornerstone of his life.
He met Seta in 1953, at an Armenian youth group dance; and if he were telling this story, he would say that is when his life really began. He moved to Oakland to be near her; they were married the following year. A first daughter, Kathi, was born a year later, then two more daughters—Patti and Kirsti.
Greg was, every day, a hard worker. From a sales job at Sears, he started in the wholesale carpeting business by sweeping warehouse floors. His extraordinarily quick mind and love of people made him a consummate salesman; he became national sales manager for multiple carpeting distributorships. He was known for his exceptional integrity. He later added a real estate sales license and then a securities dealer’s license to his portfolio. He became a financial investment advisor, then owned and successfully managed the regional office of a large financial services firm. His common-sense wisdom and his curiosity aroused by any financial transaction made him an expert. He generously shared his counsel, whether you were investing a small nest egg or a corporate endowment. It was his language of love.
After making a home and lifetime friends in Southern California, Greg and Seta and their girls moved back to the Bay Area. Their full life revolved around their immediate and extended family, the Church, and dear friends. They lived faithfully, generously, compassionately, and always together. ‘Greg and Seta’ is one word.
Greg, known to many as ‘Uncle Cookie’, was the consummate gentleman, whether he was beating you at cards, giving you financial advice, or working outside replicating his childhood farm experience. He was always kind. He never met an Armenian he wasn’t related to, but even if you were an ‘odar’, he was ready to be your friend.
He is survived and loved by his wife Seta; daughters Kathi, Patti (Jerry) and Kirsti; four granddaughters, Stacey, Caeti, Nicole and Krista; a great-grandaughter Francesca, born the day before he died; sister Diana Shirin and brother-in-law Harry Sherinian; and many nieces, nephews and cousins related by birth or affection.
Funeral service at St. Vartan Armenian Apostolic Church, 650 Spruce Street, Oakland, CA, on Saturday, October 22, at 11 am.
Gifts in Greg’s memory may be made to: St. Vartan Church Ladies Society, 650 Spruce Street, Oakland, CA 94610 https://www.stvartanoakland.com/donate
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