Sgt. Hagop "Jack" Zarifian

Sgt. Zarifian was born on November 9, 1925 at Bridgeport Hospital in Bridgeport, Connecticut. He was the oldest child of Albert and Sophie (Serpoohie Berberian) Zarifian. Prior to enlisting in the U.S. Army he lived at 324 Deacon Street in Bridgeport. He attended Harding High School and while there he played football and played the bugle in the school band. Jack was an altar boy at the Armenian Church of the Holy Ascension, which was formerly in Bridgeport and is now in Trumbull, Connecticut. In addition to being an altar boy, he cut the lawn at the church and was always available for various tasks when called upon by the ladies at the church. Jack was appreciated so much by the ladies that they affectionately called him, Saint (Sourp) Hagop. After graduating high school in 1943, Jack worked at General Electric in Bridgeport as a Draftsman. Well-liked by his co-workers, they gifted him a sterling ID bracelet engraved with his name and Army serial number when they learned he enlisted to serve his country. That bracelet was with him when his remains were found.

Jack enlisted in the United States Army on January 10, 1944, and was assigned to Army Company G, 2nd Battalion, 253rd Infantry Regiment, 63rd Infantry Division. Within a year’s time he achieved the rank of Sergeant. On April 6, 1945, during the fierce Battle of Buchhof, and Stein am Kocher, Germany, he was struck by a Nebelwerfer rocket. His body was unable to be recovered due to intense fighting against German forces that were holding the town. Sgt. Zarifian’s remains were not accounted for during or after the war, and he was not reported as being captured by German forces. Sgt. Zarifian was listed as missing in action (MIA) and later, killed in action. Sgt. Zarifian’s body was recovered and buried with dignity by local German residents with his rifle and uniform.

His sister Marion wrote several letters on behalf of his parents to the military to get more information, but there was no response. His body was never found until construction crews in Germany found an American soldier almost 80 years later. Thank goodness for the kindness of the German people for burying him intact and with dignity. The construction company alerted the police, who in turn notified the U.S. Military. Through DNA testing of the appropriate family members and his personal possessions, the family received confirmation that the remains were Sgt. Jack Zarifian.

Sgt. Zarifian leaves behind his sister, Marion Chapkounian and her husband Simon of North Providence, who has memories of walking with him in a storm and the trees were swaying in the wind. His sister Louise Goorhigian and her husband Martin, remembers Jack taking her out for ice cream. Sgt. Zarifian took great care of his younger siblings. His late brother George Zarifian and his wife Joan, also wrote several letters in an attempt to find out what happened to his beloved brother. Sgt. Zarifian leaves behind several nieces and nephews, who cherished stories about Uncle Jack as a kind, warm and loving person.

A dignified transfer of Sgt. Zarifian with Planeside Military Honors will take place on Monday, November 18, 2024 at 4:30 p.m. at Rhode Island T.F. Green International Airport. Sgt. Zarifian will then be transferred with U.S. Military Escort, Honor Guard and Rhode Island State Police to the Pontarelli-Marino Funeral Home in Providence. A Rite of Reception will follow upon Sgt. Zarifians arrival at the funeral home.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend Visitation on Saturday, November 23, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. in the Pontarelli-Marino Home, 971 Branch Avenue, Providence, followed by a Service at 11:00 a.m. Burial with Military Funeral Honors will be held at North Burial Ground, 5 Branch Avenue, Providence.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Veterans Home Patient Accounts at https://www.cdceportal.va.gov/donate_online/