Obituary of Max M Boudakian

Max Boudakian passed peacefully on June 3, 2023 at the age of 97, after a brief illness. He is survived by his wife, Lita, and three children, Sara (Frank) Cegelski; Carl (Gina) Boudakian and Martha Boudakian (Vincent Lima); brother, Charles Boudakian; sister, Rose Nicollian, and grandchildren, Nicholas, Theodore, Andrew, Derek, Noor, Arev and Nina; and several nieces and nephews.

Max was born in New York City on September 8, 1925 to Gadarine and Minas Boudakian, both survivors of the Armenian Genocide. He was raised in a family in which love was abundant and education prized. Max attended Stuyvesant High School where he excelled in the sciences. At the age of 18, his initial college years were interrupted when he was called upon to serve his country in WWII.  Designated an infantryman in the U.S. Army, Max fought in both France and Germany from 1943-1946. During his time in the Army, he was wounded and was awarded the Purple Heart.  Max was also awarded the French Legion of Honor medal in 2018 for his service in France during WWII.

After the war, Max returned to his schooling, earning degrees in Organic Chemistry: first, a B.S. from City College of New York (1949), an M.S. from the University of Michigan (1950) and finally, a PhD. from Purdue in 1955.  He was soon hired by Olin Corporation, and spent his entire career there as a senior research chemist, retiring in 1991.   At Olin, he was responsible for developing formulas for various pharmaceutical products. Max was named Inventor of the Year by the Rochester Patent Law Association in 1981 in recognition of the 13 patents granted for his extensive original research while at Olin.

In addition to chemistry, Max was passionate about his Armenian heritage. For many years, he served in a leadership role for local Armenian cultural organizations and the Armenian Apostolic Church in Rochester, NY, where he was regarded as the pillar of the Armenian community. He extended his love of research to his ancestry, writing many articles for Armenian literary publications.

Max loved attending classical music concerts and good theatre with Lita, as well as reading and engaging in discussions in his book club. 

Max’s faith sustained him throughout his life, and he was an active member of the Episcopal Church, most recently at the Church of the Incarnation in Penfield.  As a member of the local Battle of the Bulge organization, he served as the group’s chaplain until the group disbanded in 2019.

Known for his humble and self-effacing nature, Max loved nothing more than to engage others in conversation, always showing interest in their lives and point of view. He was a friend to all and was universally admired and beloved in all of his circles.

Max had enormous love for his family, and his greatest pleasure was being in their company. He would conclude family gatherings by dispensing his words of wisdom, which they will cherish forever. Max was blessed to live fully until his last days.

Friends and family are invited to call between the hours of 10 am – 12 pm on Saturday, June 10, 2023, at Jennings, Nulton and Mattle Funeral Home, 1704 Penfield Road, Penfield, NY. Internment to be held privately. A memorial service in celebration of Max’s life will be held on Sunday, June 11 at 4 pm at the Church of the Incarnation with a gathering to follow (location TBD).

In lieu of flowers, in honor of Max, please donate to Honor Flight Rochester – https://www.honorflightrochester.org or the Armenia Tree Project  - https://www.armeniatree.org