Charles "Gary" Setian

The family of Charles “Gary” Setian sadly announces his passing on Sunday July 6th in Las Vegas, Nevada. Born in Springfield Massachusetts, on April 4, 1938 to Nishan and Mari Setian, Gary grew up in Indian Orchard with his siblings Armen, Harry, Lucy and Jack.

In 1955, at the age of seventeen, while attending Technical High School in Springfield, Gary was in a drafting class when one of his teachers mentioned there was an open position with “Springfield Gas Light Company” as a junior draftsman. Gary said he was interested and began working for the company. He continued working there while attending night school, receiving his B.S. degree from Western New England University in Mechanical Engineering.

His career with the company which later became “Bay State Gas” continued in various positions and capacities for 39 years until his retirement in 1995 as the Senior Vice-President of Operations. Among his career highlights: designing and building the LNG facilities in Ludlow, Easton and Marshfield; serving as Chairman of the New England Gas Association’s Operations School and Operating Division; serving as Chairman of the Massachusetts Natural Gas Council, Mass. Gas Distribution Code Committee, Mass. Committee on Corrosion; and receiving the 1994 Distinguished Service Award from the New England Gas Association.

He was an active member of St. Gregory’s Armenian Apostolic Church of Indian Orchard serving on the executive council. He was also a chapter president of the Armenian Youth Federation, and a multi-year volunteer at GLENDI for St. George’s Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Springfield. Soon after retiring, Gary and his wife Marie lived for much of the year in Las Vegas to be closer to their grandchildren and, during this time, Gary became a founding member of St. Garabed’s Armenian Apostolic Church in Las Vegas.

Gary remained active in the gas industry after his retirement serving both as an expert witness in several major gas litigation cases across the Country and bringing his knowledge of natural gas development to Armenia, the country his father immigrated from back in 1915. Between 1997 and 2000, Gary traveled to Armenia 15 times providing technical expertise and training for USAID’s Armenia and Georgia Natural Gas Sector Reform Program. Being able to utilize his skills to assist the country of his ancestors was something he truly took joy in.

He also took great joy in his hobbies: fishing, dancing, and collecting ancient Armenian coins. He was a member of the Vermont trout club and shared his collection of Armenian coins with younger individuals through the Armenian National Education Committee, distributing coins to Armenian school students who performed well in Armenian studies. These coins would include some dating back to the Cilician Kingdom and the dynasty of King Levon V in 1375.

Gary’s love of dancing was witnessed by many as he would often be seen at parties and events dancing with the love of his life, his wife Marie. The two married in 1962 and were together for 58 years until her passing in 2021. Gary is survived by two sons: Haig and Garo Setian, Garo’s wife, Anahit Setian and two grandchildren, Hunter and Lea Setian, in addition to his brother Harry and his wife Liz, his sister Lucy Tarpinian, sister-in-law Sandra Deshayes, brother-in-law John Klenakis and his wife Annie, brother-in-law Tony Klenakis and his wife Norma. He was pre-deceased by his brothers Armen and Jack and a half-brother, Bishop Nerses M. Setian.

Gary was a loving grandfather to Hunter and Lea. Soon after Marie’s passing, Hunter moved in with Gary and taught him how to play “Settlers of Catan.” This game became a place of bonding between Gary, Garo and Hunter during Gary’s later years where the three shared many adventures together.

Gary’s Funeral will be held on Saturday, September 20th with visitation from 9-9:45 AM at St. Gregory Armenian Apostolic Church, 135 Goodwin St., Indian Orchard, followed by a Service at 9:45am. Burial will follow in Oak Grove Cemetery, Springfield. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to St. Gregory Armenian Apostolic Church or charity of your choice.