Milton G. Mardoian

Milton Garabed Mardoian, 94, passed away on Monday, October 5, 2020 at Parkview Hospital in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Born in Kenosha, Wisconsin, and baptized with the name of Mesrop, he was the son of the late Garabed and Bayzar (Antaramian) Mardoian. He graduated from Mary D. Bradford High School, Kenosha, in 1944 and the University of Wisconsin, Madison in 1950 with a degree in Mechanical Engineering. In 1952, he married Araxie (Hakalmazian) Mardoian and moved from Kenosha to Chicago.

Milton’s career in Engineering spanned 58 years and he was honored with several awards and patents. Milton retired from the Metropolitan Sanitary District of Greater Chicago in 2008 after 36 years of service, where he was instrumental in the development of the Chicago Deep Tunnel Project. He worked for the International Harvester Company, where in 1959 he invented the cold start system for internal combustion engines for tractors to be used in the building of the Alaskan Pipeline. Milton also worked for the Allis Chalmers Tractor Company and the Chicago Transit Authority. For two years after high school, he worked at the American Motors plant in Kenosha, Wisconsin to make money to attend college. He was a member of the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) for 68 years and was their Chicago Chapter President from 1971-1972.

Milton will be remembered as someone who could fix anything. Automotive, of course, but no household project was beyond his reach – and he was often called upon by friends and relatives throughout the years to help with projects. At the age of just 13, he completely disassembled a four cylinder 1930 Model A Ford that his uncle had just purchased to see how it worked, and then put it all back together, but not before giving it a complete tune-up.

Milton led a life of service. Milton was a 33rd degree Mason of the Wisconsin Scottish Rite, member of Kenosha Lodge #47 Free & Accepted Masons, member of the Kenosha Commandry No. 30 and Racine No. 7 Knights Templar, member of the Scottish Rite and Shriner’s Tripoli Temple, Milwaukee, the Kenosha Shrine Club, Chicago Southside Shrine Club, and Kenosha Propeller and Groundhog Clubs. He was trustee of the former Holy Savior Armenian Apostolic Church in West Pullman (Chicago).

Milton was a devoted husband and father. He is survived by daughters Diane (Joe) Kennedy, of Columbia City, Indiana, Arlene Brostrom of Homewood, Illinois and son Charles (Carol) Mardoian of Orland Park, Illinois, his grandchildren Brandon and Melissa Mardoian, Jessica Brostrom and Dylan, Madison and Caden Mardoian, sister Martha Kaprelian of Henderson, Nevada, niece Karen Hakalmazian of Dyer, Indiana and Uncle Milton to many other nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife of 61 years, Araxie (Hakalmazian) Mardoian, son Brian Mardoian , Orland Park, Illinois, sister Harriet Hakalmazian, Crestwood, IL and brother Leon Mardoian of Kenosha, Wisconsin, and two older brothers and a sister who perished during the Armenian Genocide.

Due to COVID 19 safety concerns, the service at Kerry Funeral Home, Palos Heights, funeral at Sts. Joachim and Anne Armenian Church and Interment at Chapel Hill Gardens South Cemetery, Oak Lawn was held for immediate family only. In Milton’s memory, donations may be made to Sts. Joachim & Anne Armenian Church, 12600 S. Ridgeland Avenue, Palos Heights, IL. 60463, Attn: In memory of Milton Mardoian.