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August 22, 2018
Services
Friends may visit with the family from 3-5 PM on Sunday September 2, 2018 at the VanderMay Wayne Colonial Funeral Home, 567 Ratzer Rd, Wayne NJ 07470. A funeral service will be held at 4 PM during the visiting hours, followed by a repast.
Dr. Michael Utidjian, age 87, of Wayne passed away peacefully on Wednesday August 22, 2018 while receiving the loving care of his family.
Michael was born in London, England in 1931. From an early age he was known for his inquisitive nature and love of science, particularly chemistry. A graduate of the Highgate School in London, his time there was notable for his evacuation with a group of his classmates to the English countryside at Hartland Abbey during the London Blitz. Like his father before him, he chose to pursue a career in medicine and earned his medical degree at University College London Medical School.
His clinical career saw him practice medicine in England as well as far flung locales such as Iraq and Trinidad before ultimately immigrating to the United States. As a foreign medical graduate, Michael was initially prevented from obtaining his medical license in the States for ten years. Undeterred, he embarked on a career in public health and occupational medicine, working first in academia and then the pharmaceutical industry, publishing dozens of papers and guidelines on the safety standards for occupational exposures. His final position as corporate medical director at American Cyanamid saw him overseeing the safety of the company’s workers across the country and internationally.
During his retirement, Michael continued to travel the world. He often spent his summers in England visiting his brother and sister, Leon and Rosemary, and reconnecting with lifelong friends. For many years he would join his high school classmates for reunions at Hartland Abbey, reminiscing about their school boy adventures in the countryside.
A beloved father, grandfather and friend, Michael will be remembered by those who knew him for his gregarious nature, his keen wit, and his endless curiosity about the world and its cultures.
He is survived by his five children, Dikran, David, Araxi, Lynn and Levon, and four grandsons, Austin, Colton, Parker and Connor. He is also survived by his sister, Rosemary. He was predeceased by his parents, Dr. Haigouni Dikran Absalom Utidjian and Edith Utidjian.
In lieu of flowers, those planning an expression of sympathy in Michael’s name are asked to consider donations in memory or honor of Dr. Michael Utidjian to two charities:
The Children of Armenia Fund, https://www.coafkids.org/
Doctors without Borders, https://www.doctorswithoutborders.org/.
If you would like to send a private condolence directly to the family use this condolence section.
Friends may visit with the family from 3-5 PM on Sunday September 2, 2018 at the VanderMay Wayne Colonial Funeral Home, 567 Ratzer Rd, Wayne NJ 07470. A funeral service will be held at 4 PM during the visiting hours, followed by a repast.
August 22, 2018
Services
Friends may visit with the family from 3-5 PM on Sunday September 2, 2018 at the VanderMay Wayne Colonial Funeral Home, 567 Ratzer Rd, Wayne NJ 07470. A funeral service will be held at 4 PM during the visiting hours, followed by a repast.
Dr. Michael Utidjian, age 87, of Wayne passed away peacefully on Wednesday August 22, 2018 while receiving the loving care of his family.
Michael was born in London, England in 1931. From an early age he was known for his inquisitive nature and love of science, particularly chemistry. A graduate of the Highgate School in London, his time there was notable for his evacuation with a group of his classmates to the English countryside at Hartland Abbey during the London Blitz. Like his father before him, he chose to pursue a career in medicine and earned his medical degree at University College London Medical School.
His clinical career saw him practice medicine in England as well as far flung locales such as Iraq and Trinidad before ultimately immigrating to the United States. As a foreign medical graduate, Michael was initially prevented from obtaining his medical license in the States for ten years. Undeterred, he embarked on a career in public health and occupational medicine, working first in academia and then the pharmaceutical industry, publishing dozens of papers and guidelines on the safety standards for occupational exposures. His final position as corporate medical director at American Cyanamid saw him overseeing the safety of the company’s workers across the country and internationally.
During his retirement, Michael continued to travel the world. He often spent his summers in England visiting his brother and sister, Leon and Rosemary, and reconnecting with lifelong friends. For many years he would join his high school classmates for reunions at Hartland Abbey, reminiscing about their school boy adventures in the countryside.
A beloved father, grandfather and friend, Michael will be remembered by those who knew him for his gregarious nature, his keen wit, and his endless curiosity about the world and its cultures.
He is survived by his five children, Dikran, David, Araxi, Lynn and Levon, and four grandsons, Austin, Colton, Parker and Connor. He is also survived by his sister, Rosemary. He was predeceased by his parents, Dr. Haigouni Dikran Absalom Utidjian and Edith Utidjian.
In lieu of flowers, those planning an expression of sympathy in Michael’s name are asked to consider donations in memory or honor of Dr. Michael Utidjian to two charities:
The Children of Armenia Fund, https://www.coafkids.org/
Doctors without Borders, https://www.doctorswithoutborders.org/.
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