Henry Elias Sarkis, 91, died peacefully on September 22, 2015. He was the son of Elias and Marie Sarkis. Born on July 8, 1924 in Egypt, he was raised in Helmeya, Cairo. He married Yvonne Tchoulhagian on December 11, 1949. They emigrated to the United Sates, to New York City in 1962 and to Tampa, Florida in 1972. They celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary together in peace.
He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers and three sisters. Henry is survived by two brothers, Jean Pierre and Joseph; three children, Dr. Elias Henry Sarkis, Therese (& Ron) Sarkis Law, and Primrose (& Paul) Sarkis Demirdjian. His loving grandchildren are Juhli (& Matt) Greene, Daniel (& Heather) Sarkis, Nathalie and Michelle Demirdjian. Henry worked for the Suez Canal in Egypt, at Lehman Brothers in NYC, and GTE Data Services in Tampa. He was a risk taker, leader and loving father. He loved having his family and friends around and thoroughly enjoyed entertaining, cooking and hosting. He also enjoyed investing in the stock market. He was active in L’Alliance Francaise and the Armenian American Society of the Suncoast, instrumental in its’ creation and holding many positions over the years. Henry and Yvonne loved to travel and did so often.
We will celebrate his life with a mass at Holy Faith Catholic Church, 747 NW 43rd St., Gainesville, Fl. 32607 on Saturday, October 3, 2015 at 1:00 pm with Father John Phillips officiating. In lieu of flowers Henry requested that donations be made to Catholic Charities, 1701 Northeast 9th Street, Gainesville, FL 32609.