Enoch Babe Malkasian , December 23, 1933 — May 19, 2019

WHITINSVILLE … Enoch “Babe” Malkasian, 85, died Sunday, May 19, in the Saint Camillus Health Center, surrounded by his loving family, He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Claire (Tasjian) Malkasian; two sons, Matthew Malkasian, and his wife, Michele, and Mark Malkasian, and his wife, Doreen; a brother, Edward Naroian, and his wife, Pauline, all of Whitinsville. He was predeceased by his brother, Ira Naroian, and his wife, Verkin. Known as Papa, he was adored by his four grandsons, Jacob, Luke, Joshua, and Noah, and many cousins, nephews and nieces.

Babe was born in Whitinsville, December 23, 1933, the son of Hagar and Isabelle (Gdvajian) Malkasian, and was a lifelong resident. A 1952 graduate of Northbridge High School, where he was an outstanding athlete, He was “Mr. Football” in 1951, and he was elected to the Northbridge High School Athletic Hall of Fame in 1997. Given the nickname, “Babe”, By his high school coach because he was a great baseball player, like Babe Ruth, Enoch had a tryout with the Chicago Cubs, opting instead to continue his education and athletic career at Monson Academy, The Massachusetts Maritime Academy, and earning a Master’s Degree at Worcester State College.

He served in the U.S. Navy, stationed in Long Beach, CA, and Japan, and he spent a year in the Merchant Marines. A devoted educator, Babe spent 37 years at the Grafton Middle School as an industrial arts teacher and guidance counselor. Known as “Mr. Mal”, he believed that no matter what you did, everyone was important, and the door to his office was always open to students.

A 60 year member of the Village Congregational Church in Whitinsville, where he once taught Sunday School, Babe was also a 50 year member of Mumford River Lodge, AF&AM, and the Eureka Chapter Royal Arch. He enjoyed telling stories of playing “Taps” on his bugle as a boy. The family would like to acknowledge Claire’s unflagging love and devotion to Babe, and thank Darlene Chesley, his devoted caregiver, and the staffs at the Saint Camillus Adult Day Health Center and Saint Camillus Health Center for their unfaltering compassion and care.

Babe’s Funeral Service will be held at 11am, Friday, May 24, in the Village Congregational Church. followed by burial in Pine Grove Cemetery. Calling Hours will be 4-7pm, Thursday, May 23, in the Carr Funeral Home,24 Hill Street, Whitinsville Please omit flowers.

Memorial donations may be made to Saint Camillus Adult Day Health Care, 670 Linwood Avenue, Whitinsville, MA, 01588.

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