Vasken Gostanian

Vasken Gostanian, a famous baseball leader. He was born in Haverhill on March 17, 1920. Gostanian graduated from Haverhill High School, class of 1938. He served in the Army during World War II and received the European African Middle Eastern Service Medal with five Bronze Stars, the Good Conduct Ribbon, and three Overseas Service Bars.

Gostanian worked as a salesman for many years. He also played semi-pro baseball and was president of Haverhill Little League and Haverhill Pony League. Gostanian was instrumental in bringing a Babe Ruth League to Haverhill.

Gostanian was a member of St. Gregory the Illuminator Armenian Church in Haverhill. He was also a member of the Haverhill Elks Lodge and the VFW Lorraine Post 29.

Vasken Gostanian died April 20 2005 at Hannah Duston Healthcare Center in Haverhill. He was 85.

He was the husband of the late Mary (Johnson) Gostanian, who died in 2000. He left a son, Gary Gostanian of Bradford; a daughter, Sandra Arakelian of Fowler, Calif.; a brother, Vaughn Gostanian of Arlington; a sister, Shirley Mikaelian of Maryland; four grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

Sources

• Boston Globe, CollegeSports.com, April 28 2005