In Memoriam

It is with deep sorrow that CAIA announces the passing of John Der Parthog who passed away peacefully on Saturday 19th May 2018,10 days away from his 91st birthday.

John was born in Ethiopia from a refugee family fleeing Ottoman persecution, and they subsequently moved to Cyprus when John was a boy. After marrying Gwyneth in 1956 he spent the majority of his life in the UK. John was co-founder of Sunvil Travel in 1970 and his company supported most Armenian causes in the UK by donating travel tickets for charity raffle draws, advertising in n newsletters, etc. Sunvil Travel were also the first travel agency in the UK which promoted tourism to Armenia, including the fledgling Armenian Airlines following Armenia’s independence in the early 1990’s.

John was a lovely, jovial, dedicated and hard-working person with a sweet smile and someone who was a dear friend to many.  John was a lifelong member of the CAIA and served as a trustee between1997-2003.

John leaves behind his wife Gwyneth, son Dudley, daughter Judith and granddaughter Suzanne.

He will be sorely missed by everyone who knew him.

John’s family have requested that in lieu of flowers any donations be made to CAIA via https://mydonate.bt.com/fundraisers/johnderparthog