Hovhanes "Joe" Kibarian

Hovhanes "Joe" Kibarian, of Newport, RI, passed away on April 9, 2026, while staying with his son’s family in Los Altos Hills, California. He was 102 and died peacefully surrounded by his loving family. 

Joe was born on January 25, 1924, in Providence, Rhode Island to Simon and Yaghout (Mikaelian) Kibarian, both survivors of the Armenian Genocide, and grew up in the Douglas Avenue section of Providence. He graduated from Hope High School, served in the US Army during WWII, and built his career as a machinist and tool and die maker in the Providence jewelry and metalworks industries, working primarily at Karew, Frank Morrow Company, and Marvel Jewelry.  

Joe married Anahid "Ann" Hajian in 1959, settled in Warwick, and together they devoted their lives to raising their three children, Johanna, John, and Thomas. Joe and Ann prioritized family above all else, teaching their children and later their grandchildren to be proud of their Armenian heritage, to build strong bonds with their extended family, to pursue education, and to have important careers. Joe introduced the extended family to skiing and sailing, with ski trips throughout New England and sailing excursions on his beloved sailboat in Newport, enjoying both sports into his 90’s.

Joe had an artistic eye, was good with his hands, had a sharp business mind, and was a natural-born engineer. He was a passionate learner and could solve any problem with an original, efficient, and effective solution. He applied his problem-solving skills at work and at home, would lend them to anyone who could benefit and would teach them to anyone with interest. He prided himself on what he built, always of his own design, and at minimal expense, including solar rooms, sheds, playhouses and sandboxes. He was the original up-cycler, turning scraps of wood into birdhouses and old skis into glider rockers. He could talk to any person no matter their station in life, had a strong sense of humor and translated his advice into pithy sayings quoted constantly by family, friends, and even strangers.

Joe was often asked how he achieved the longevity that he did, and he would always give credit first and foremost to his wife, Ann, who taught him the benefits of routine and kept him on a program of healthy diet and exercise every day over their 66 years of marriage. In his final years, Joe was also helped by a team of very dedicated care providers, and the family has a debt of gratitude particularly to Selamawit Tekeste, Genalyn Jarillo, Milika Tulua, and Norma Vasquez who tirelessly cared for him with genuine love and devotion.

Joe is pre-deceased by his parents and his four siblings Aznive, Nishan, Sarkis, and Barkev.  He is survived by Ann, his children Johanna (Hachik Chilingirian), John (Gloria Chen), and Thomas; his grandchildren Berj (Seda Byurat), Ani (Edward Jierjian), and Matthew; and many beloved in-laws, nieces and nephews. 

A wake will be held on Friday, April 24th at Woodlawn Funeral Home, 600 Pontiac Ave., Cranston RI from 4:00 PM-7:00 PM and a funeral will be held at Sts. Vartanantz Armenian Apostolic Church, 402 Broadway Providence, RI on Saturday, April 25th at 11:00 AM. (Relatives and friends are to meet directly at Church Saturday morning.) He will be laid to rest at North Burial Ground in the Kibarian family plot beneath the headstone that he designed and dedicated to all of the family members who perished in the Armenian Genocide.

An additional memorial service will be held at St. Andrew Armenian Apostolic Church in Cupertino, CA on June 6th at 11:00 AM. 

Memorial donations in lieu of flowers can be made to Sts. Vartanantz Armenian Apostolic Church

Please share memories at www.WoodlawnRI.com