Henry Stephen Eurgubian

March 3, 1936 – July 14, 2022

Henry went home to be with the Lord, his parents, and siblings on July 14, 2022. He was a joy to everyone who knew him. A loving husband, father, grandfather, uncle, brother, cousin, friend, and teacher, Henry was the guiding light in every room he entered. He used his talents for the greater good as a teacher for almost seven decades, most recently with the Madera and Golden Valley Unified School Districts, and with his son's business, the Eurgubian Academic Center.

Larger than life, he lived every day with an appreciation and gratefulness for being alive. If you knew Henry, his death is a shock and tremendous loss.

Born in Medford, Massachusetts, he was the son of two Armenian immigrants, Mesia and Rose Eurgubian. He was named for his father's two brothers, Henry and Stephen, who died in the Armenian Genocide. Henry was the youngest child in his family, with siblings Elizabeth (Betty) and John teenagers when he was born. His family owned and operated a small general store and lived modestly, moving from Massachusetts to California, eventually settling in Fresno in 1948.

Henry dreamed big but appreciated the little things. He was the first of his family to graduate college. While he started his years only speaking Armenian, he learned English in elementary school and continued his education as an accomplished student, athlete, and debater. Loved and respected in school, his middle and high school buddies were among his best friends at age 86.

He worked hard, earning his own money at a young age. In addition to being a teacher, coach, and office manager for his son's tutoring service in later years, Henry worked as a crop-dusting spotter, door-to-door egg salesman, poultry feeder, turkey de-beaker, cotton picker, grocery store owner and was Airman First Class in the Air Force Reserve. He taught his children by example, and his work ethic and social consciousness lives on in them and in his grandchildren.

Henry's greatest joy was his family. He enjoyed nothing more than attending his kids' sporting events and music concerts and most recently, his grandson's high school football games. He also loved college football, attending home and away games of his alma matter, Fresno State University, and his daughter's alma matter, the University of Southern California. Most of the time, one could find Henry wearing a Fresno State Bulldogs or USC cap, as he was so proud of his children and these universities.

He also loved to socialize, and every morning could be found with friends at Starbucks in Fig Garden Village talking sports and current events. Henry enjoyed living life to its fullest until the day he died. He appreciated individual differences more and more as he aged. He was the epitome of progress.

While the death of Henry leaves a hole in our hearts, families and friends are left with stories and memories for comfort.

Henry is survived by his wife of 61 years, Mary Eurgubian; son, Stephen Eurgubian; daughter, Elizabeth Eurgubian; son-in-law, Jon Wadsworth; grandsons, Jeremy and Collin Eurgubian; grandsons, William and Michael Wadsworth; and granddaughter, Rosalie Wadsworth. He is also survived by many loved nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, and students.

A funeral service for Henry will be held at Pilgrim Armenian Congregational Church in Fresno, California, at 10:00 a.m. on July 25, 2022. Those who wish to express sympathy may consider making a donation to the San Joaquin College of Law BREN Clinic, a 501(c)3 organization that helps individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities obtain education a