Joseph Vosbikian was born on May 3, 1924 to Bedros and Vartanoush (Hovnanian) Vosbikian.  
He has three brothers and sisters.   His sisters were Sarah, Lil, and Virginia. His brothers are
Sam, Mike, Pete.   Joe died this year on May 2nd, the day before his 88th birthday. 

He started grammar school in 1929.  In 1939, the Vosbikian Band was created.   The first
group consisted of band leader, Samuel Vosbikian on clarinet, Mike Vosbikian on saxophone,
Charles Mardigian on banjo, Peter Endrigian on doombeg, and Joseph Vosbikian on drums. 

  He graduated Northeast High School in January, 1942.  Soon after he graduated high school, he
started to date Victoria Bouloutian.  About a year after dating her, Victoria’s mother,  Yevkineh
(or Jean) became seriously ill with breast cancer.  Before she died, Joe told her not to worry, that
he planned to marry her daughter.   

Joe and Victoria took their vows on June 4, 1944 at his parents’ home.  (He was a loving
husband for 67 years, and a devoted father).  After a three day honeymoon in Atlantic City,
Joseph was sent overseas to fight in WWII..   He fought in every major battle in the European
theater (including the Battle of the Bulge).   He served in the army for two and a half years. 

After the war in 1946, after all the boys had returned home from the war, a new Vosbikian Band 
was formed. This new group took up where the old group left off and the public was ready and
waiting.   It consisted of band leader, Samuel Vosbikian - oud, Mike Vosbikian - saxophone,
James Vosbikian - clarinet and vocals, Albert Santerian - doombeg, and Joseph Vosbikian -
doombeg.    


Joe Vosbikian  worked in the family’s tool manufacturing business with his brothers.   He finally
retired in the early 1990s. Besides being a devoted husband and father, throughout his life, he
was active in many things. He sang for the Knar choral group. He sang for St. Gregory’s church
choir. He served on the Board of Trustees for Saint Gregory’s Church.

 Not only did he continuously help the Armenian Sister’s Academy, especially at its inception,
but he cofound their boy scout troup. Many times, he took the boy scouts to his Pocono Mountain
house to camp (and go canoeing). He was the cofounder of the Golden Ardziv for the Armenian
Sisters Academy. He belonged to the Knights of Vartan. On May 19, 1991, the Knights of Vartan
presented him a “Man of the Year” award in Recognition of many dedicated years of writing and
speaking for the unity of the Armenian church and community. He has written articles for the
Armenian Reporter He bravely fought in the army  during WWII in the Battle of the Bulge where
he has earned many medals (including the Silver and Bronze star medals).  

Joseph Vosbikian will be remembered.   Those who knew him will remember him in
many ways.  

He will be remembered as a war hero, devoted friend, loving husband and father, and  a
devoted family member.   Nothing meant more to him than his family and friends.   He was there
whenever anyone needed him. 

He will be remembered by many for his great sense of humor, and home made raki. 

He will be remembered for his writings, mostly pertaining to church unity, World War II,
family, stories, limericks, and yearly Christmas messages.  

He will be remembered for his honesty, integrity, loyalty, and generosity.