Harry James Semonian

Harry was the first child of Sisak (“Harry”) and Goldie Semonian and grew up in Charlestown, Massachusetts with his siblings, Ralph, Marilyn (Haley), and Judy (Tibbetts) in a household often shared with extended family.  Harry attended Boston Latin School and English High School.  Harry enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps in 1954 and was incredibly proud of this service, considering himself “always a Marine.”  After graduating from college in 1962, Harry taught at Rondout Valley High School in upstate New York. 

Harry met Sona (Sergenian) in 1966 while serving in the wedding party of their respective cousins. They quickly fell in love and married a year later in 1967.  After their wedding, Harry started what would be his 28-year career at Milton High School, teaching everything from Western Civilization to American history to English, and mentoring thousands of students. 

Harry and Sona settled in Marshfield where they raised their family and lived for nearly 30 years. It was there that they raised their four children:  Robin (Polster); Michael; Ruth (Vetter); and Sarah (McCarren).  A proud father, he was delighted to be active in his children’s lives, rarely missing a concert, play, or sporting event. 

Harry was involved in the community, having served as the director for youth summer camps, coaching sports, and leading community initiatives for those with disabilities.  He enjoyed family gatherings with his siblings and cousins, sharing delicious food, the occasional Armenian dancing, and riding his motorcycle with dear friends.  He was active in his church and always eager to share the Good News of Christ. 

Soon after retiring from Milton High School, Harry and Sona moved to Fort Myers, Florida, where they lived for nearly 20 years.  Despite the distance, they continued to stay in close touch with family and friends, with frequent trips to the Boston area as well as traveling extensively across the globe to visit their beloved children and grandchildren.        

Harry was thrilled to move back to the Boston area in 2016, settling in Milton.  He cherished the opportunity to be closer to family and old friends and the new friends he made while living at Winter Valley.  Even as his health deteriorated, he still found pleasure in his closeness to family and being a proud grandpa, as well as strength and solace through study of the Bible; each day marking new passages that enlightened him.

Family and friends invited to attend visiting hours Sat., April 2nd, 2022 from 9-10:30am with a  Funeral Service to begin promptly at 10:30AM in the McNamara-Sparrell Funeral Home-30 Central St, Norwell, MA. Interment will be at Pembroke Central Cemetery, Pembroke. In lieu of flowers, in memoriam contributions can be made to the Tunnel to Towers foundation, which helps to build homes for our injured veterans and first responders https://t2t.org/

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