Harry C. Pambookian

West Newton – Mr. Harry C. Pambookian, of West Newton, died Saturday, June 30, 2012 at Newton Health Care Center. He was 86.

Harry was born in Brighton on April 14, 1926, a son of the late Hagop and Mary (Haroutunian) Pambookian, and he was a lifelong resident of West Newton. He attended Newton High School and during World War II he served with the United States Navy.

After the war he went to college at the University of Kentucky where he earned a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering. He later earned a master's degree in the same subject from Northeastern University in Boston. After his schooling and following a seven year courtship Harry married his sweetheart, Eleanor Tomao of Waltham, on August 21, 1960 at Saint Mary's Church in Waltham.

Until his retirement Harry worked as an engineer for the federal government's Department of Transportation. Harry and Eleanor and their family spent many happy summers on Cape Cod and he always enjoyed a round of golf or a challenge on the tennis court. His gardens were meticulously planted and cultivated and his engineer's mind guaranteed that anything that broke around the house could be fixed better than new.

In addition to his beloved wife of 52 years, Eleanor L. (Tomao) Pambookian, Harry leaves his cherished daughters, Maryellen Pambookian of Newton Highlands and Paula Johnson and her husband, Brian, of Sherborn and the grandchildren who made his life complete, Evan and Emma Johnson.

Harry was also the brother of the late Charles Pambookian.

Family and friends will honor and remember Harry's life by gathering for calling hours in The Joyce Funeral Home, 245 Main Street (Rte. 20), Waltham on Monday, July 2nd, from 4 to 7 p.m. and again at 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday morning before leaving in procession to Saint Bernard's Church, 1523 Washington Street, West Newton where his Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. Burial will be private.