In Loving Memory
John M. Azarian, Sr.(1928-1976)
Barbara Azarian-McCullough, Ph.D.,Our Founder (1938-2012)
Martin G. AzarianProperty Manager (1965-2009)
Paul E. McCullough(1939-2007)
Remembering Marty
By Barbara Azarian McCullough
Martin G. Azarian passed away on April 18, 2009. The Azarian family wanted to honor Marty and keep his memory alive.
Marty grew up in Wyckoff, New Jersey and graduated from Ramapo High School. He graduated in 2000 from St. Thomas Aquinas College (STAC) in Sparkill, New York. He was an Assistant Property Manager for The Azarian Group, L.L.C. and was a fireman with the Wyckoff Fire Department Company #1 for over 20 years.
Marty was a big fan of the Yankees, and enjoyed playing all sports. He also enjoyed visiting firehouses and interacting with other firemen, American History and traveling.
Barbara Azarian McCullough always tried to instill in her sons to have goals and to work to attain those goals. Marty always had 3 goals in life that he worked to achieve – to graduate college, get married, and become a fireman. The Azarian Family was so proud of Marty for having worked so hard and attaining his goals.
Marty was not physically able to pass the fireman’s test but because he worked so hard and was so dedicated, the firemen of Company 1 in Wyckoff made him an Honorary Fireman. Marty wasn’t allowed to go to fires, for liability reasons, but they put Marty in charge of staying at the fire house and directing firemen to fires. Marty took this job very seriously and derived satisfaction from this important role. Marty also helped with Fire Prevention Week at the firehouse.
Marty graduated from STAC with a Bachelors of Arts degree. It was difficult, at times, for Marty to complete his courses but he persevered and did graduate. Dr. Margaret Fitzpatrick, President of STAC, and a wonderful personal friend, personally spent time with Marty helping him complete his courses. Marty was so happy when he graduated!
Chronologically, last but certainly not least, was Marty getting married. Marty was so in love with his wife Gigi and even in his later days when his health was failing he only wanted to be with Gigi. Gigi was a wonderful, loving and supportive wife who endured some difficult times with Marty near the end.
We did some special things in Marty’s memory. First, we donated a new patio behind Fire Company 1 in Wyckoff, which was dedicated to Marty. It has a bronze plaque, with Marty’s likeness and name.
The second item we did was establish as scholarship program at St. Thomas Aquinas College in Marty’s name.
When Marty passed away, the Firemen approached us and asked if they could do a special “Firemen’s Service” in Marty’s memory. We had no idea what that entailed, but of course we were honored and said yes. The special Firemen’s Service began the evening of Marty’s viewing when at least 30 firemen, in full dress uniform, came to the service. That was so touching, but only the beginning. The next morning the firemen arrived with no less than 7 fire trucks (thank God there wasn’t a fire in Wyckoff!) filled with firemen in dress uniforms, and placed Marty on the first truck.
We then proceeded from the Funeral Home to St. Leon Armenian Church in Fair Lawn, via back roads. As we passed people on the road they didn’t know if we were a parade or going to a fire! When the church service was over we had about 70 cars (in addition to the 7 fire trucks) which then proceeded to the Cemetery in Wyckoff. On the way the fire trucks went back to the fire house. We didn’t know what was planned or what to expect. They stopped in front of the fire house garage and slowly opened the garage doors. The garages were, of course, empty since the trucks were in our procession, and sitting there in the empty garage was Marty’s Fireman’s uniform propped up. It was incredibly touching! The firemen then came to the cemetery and many ultimately came to the repass lunch. This special “Firemen’s Service” truly was special!
The Dedication of the Marty Azarian Memorial Patio at Company # 1
The Azarian Family wanted to honor Marty and his devotion to the firehouse, so we donated the cost to erect a new patio behind Company #1, which was dedicated on October 16, 2010.
The Fire Chief pointed out that all 25 members were in attendance for the dedication, and that NEVER HAPPENS. All were there because they had fond and special memories of Marty and wanted to share them with his family and honor Marty’s memory.
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Marty Azarian Memorial Patio at Company #1
Dr. McCullough has been in the practice of Public Accounting since 1960. Azarian andCompany, the accounting firm which she and her late husband John M. Azarian, Sr. started in Paterson, New Jersey in 1959, then moved to Hawthorne, New Jersey in 1972 and later moved to Midland Park, New Jersey. In 1972, Dr. McCullough founded Azarian Management Company (renamed
The Azarian Group, L.L.C.), which specializes in the management and development of commercial real estate.
She was an active member of the National Society of Public Accountants; New Jersey Society of Public Accountants; International Council of Shopping Centers; a past Vice President and Treasurer of the Hawthorne Chamber of Commerce; Bergen County Chamber of Commerce; past President and Treasurer of the Northwest Bergen Special Education Association; past Treasurer of the Memorial Day Nursery of Paterson; Hawthorne High School Advisory Council; past President of the Mr. and Mrs. Guild of St. Leon’s Armenian Church; former member of the Wyckoff Board of Education; former member of the Adjunct Board of Directors of Horizon Bancorp; former member of the Ramapo / Indian Hills Board of Education; former assistant leader of the Wyckoff Brownies; and former Director of the Wyckoff Learning Center.
Dr. McCullough received an Honorary Doctorate degree from St. Thomas Aquinas College, Sparkill, NY in April, 2000. She has been a Board of Trustee member of St. Thomas Aquinas College since 1990. In 2010 Dr. McCullough was honored with the title of Board of Trustee member Emeritus. She designed and donated the Azarian-McCullough Art Gallery at St. Thomas Aquinas College and was awarded the prestigious Aquinas Medal in 2002. Dr. McCullough has been a member of the Board of Trustees of the Greater Alliance Federal Credit Union (formerly Central Bergen Federal Credit Union) since 1985. In 2010 Dr. McCullough was honored with the title of Board of Trustee member Emeritus.
She and her first husband co-authored a book entitled American Teachers Tax Guide and Portfolio. Dr. McCullough also established the John M. Azarian Memorial Armenian Youth Scholarship Fund in memory of her husband, and each year the fund awards scholarships to undergraduate college students of Armenian descent who demonstrate compelling financial need. Dr. McCullough is an active member of St. Leon’s Armenian Church, Fair Lawn, New Jersey.
She graduated from Fairleigh Dickinson University with a Bachelor of Science degree in accounting. Prior to the ownership of her accounting firm, Dr. McCullough was associated with her late husband, John M. Azarian, C.P.A., in the practice of accounting for 18 years.
She is twice widowed and has one living son and four grandchildren. Sadly, we mourn the loss of our Mother and Founder who passed away on July 9, 2012. Click to read Mrs. McCullough’s Obituary
Mr. McCullough was involved with developing real estate since the mid-1960s. He worked for the Southland Corporation (7-Eleven) in their real estate division for five years; McDonald’s Corporation in their real estate division for 15 years; and for the Pillsbury Corporation for eight years as Senior Vice President of Real Estate (primarily as a Vice President of Real Estate for Bennigan’s and Steak and Ale). Twenty years ago he began developing and managing shopping centers with his own company, McCullough Development Company.
Mr. McCullough graduated from Freeport High School, Freeport, Pennsylvania; the University of Southern California with a Bachelor of Science in Structural Engineering; and from the University of Delaware with a Masters in Business Administration.
He was a past member of the International Council of Shopping Centers; past member of the New Castle Chamber of Commerce; past member of the International Council of Boy Scouts; Past Scout Master (Troop 259); Cub Scout Leader Local New Castle Pack 71; and former “Big Brother” and consultant in drug rehabilitation with St. James Episcopal Church. He was also an Episcopal Young Children Leader at St. James and a member of the Tarentum Moose (Loom 71). Mr. McCullough was an active member of St. Leon’s Armenian Church. In 2002 he was awarded the prestigious Aquinas Medal by St. Thomas Aquinas College, Sparkhill, New York.
He is married with five children, one living step son, eight grandchildren and four step-grandchildren.
Sadly, Mr. McCullough passed away on October 14, 2007.
