Merritt "Skip" Agabian

Merritt "Skip" Agabian, age 95, passed away on Sunday, October 19, 2025, at his home in East Walpole, Massachusetts, surrounded by his loving family. Born in Worcester, Massachusetts on December 22, 1929, he was the son of the late George and Zanik (Koshgarian) Agabian. Skip was raised in Oxford, Massachusetts and graduated from Oxford High School with the class of 1948.

After high school, Skip found employment at A & M Tool & Die for a year before continuing his education at Clark University in Worcester. Two years into his studies, Skip was drafted into the United States Army to serve in the Korean War for 22 months, which he described as a seminal experience in his life, teaching him discipline and camaraderie. Selected for leadership school, he was promoted to Sergeant First Class. He was a proud member of the 623rd Field Artillery Regiment and was responsible for more than 2,000 men on their return home, just three days after the armistice. Skip was honorably discharged on September 2, 1953, having earned a Bronze Service Star. Back at home, Skip returned to Clark University, receiving his Bachelor of Arts degree in 1955, majoring in mathematics and minoring in physics.

A son of Armenian immigrants, Skip was proud of his heritage. He often attended Armenian community gatherings, including dances, which is where he met the love of his life, Sylvia Messerlian. The pair were wed on October 27, 1957, in Worcester, and made their married home in Norwood, Massachusetts. This was a convenient location for Skip, as he had accepted a position as an appraiser for the Factory Mutual Engineering Corp based in the same town, appraising large industrial properties for clients such as Armstrong Rubber, Johnson & Johnson, and Sylvania.

In 1961, Skip and Sylvia moved to the neighboring town of Walpole, Massachusetts. He and his father, George, a union carpenter, worked together to build the new home, which was necessary to accommodate their growing family. Skip and Sylvia would welcome three children over the coming years, and Skip would continually improve his home, even building a back porch himself.

Skip left Factory Mutual in 1962, taking a position with Marshall & Stevens where he supervised appraisals for the General Services Administration, Exeter Academy, Beth Israel Hospital, and more. In 1969, he struck out on his own, creating A & M Appraisal Company, which he ran until his retirement in 2004, taking care of clients such as Shawmut Bank, the Grand Lodge of Masons, General Electric, and Boston Sand and Gravel. Skip also served as an expert witness in Superior Courts across New England. Performing appraisals across twenty-eight states and five Canadian provinces, Skip took on leadership roles in the American Society of Appraisers, serving as President of the Greater Boston Chapter and as International Regional Governor for New England. He used this wealth of knowledge to author a chapter of McGraw Hill's Appraising Machinery and Equipment textbook.

In his free time, Skip enjoyed nature, taking walks through the Moose Hill Wildlife Sanctuary in Sharon, and Francis William Bird Park in East Walpole. He loved watching the birds and hearing their songs. He and Sylvia enjoyed traveling together, visiting Armenia, Europe, the Caribbean, and almost every state in the U.S. At home, Skip enjoyed dinner dates with Sylvia at their favorite local restaurants and avidly reading a few newspapers every morning. He enjoyed Boston sports, especially watching the Patriots play in Foxborough. He loved to stay active, riding his bike around the neighborhood, and later, as he aged, his stationary bike every day. He managed to find time to give back to his community as well, serving on the Walpole Finance Committee for half a dozen years. Skip was a humble man with a great sense of humor. With his infectious smile and laugh, he approached everyone he met with a quiet, respectful curiosity. He was a great husband and a wonderful father who will be deeply missed.

Beloved husband of the late Sylvia (Messerlian) Agabian.

Loving father of Susan V. Agabian of Watertown, Kenneth P. Agabian of Boston, and Nancy M. Agabian of North Attleborough.

Cherished brother of the late Mary “Margo” Agabian, Esther Agabian, Theresa Susca, and Sarah Agabian and uncle of Victoria, Judy, Jennifer, George, and their families.

Also survived by many extended relatives, friends, and colleagues.

Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend Skip's Life Celebration on Thursday, October 23rd, 2025, from 4:00 pm - 7:00 pm in the James H. Delaney & Son Funeral Home, 48 Common Street, Walpole.

All are invited to gather in the funeral home on Friday, October 24th, 2025, at 10:00 am prior to a funeral home service that will be celebrated at 11:00 AM. Interment will follow at Maple Grove Cemetery in Walpole.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Skip's name may be made to All for Armenia by visiting https://allforarmenia.org/donate/ OR to the Massachusetts Audubon Society at Fund for Nature c/o Member Services, Mass Audubon, 208 South Great Road, Lincoln, MA 01773 or by visiting https://www.massaudubon.org/ OR to the Armenian Mirror-Spectator c/o Baikar Association, Inc at 755 Mt. Auburn Street, Watertown, MA 02472 or by visiting https://givebutter.com/COz5Uy