Author and Community Activist Berge Bulbulian Passes Away at 91

Staff Report

Berge Bulbulian, staunch supporter of the Armenian Studies Program and of Fresno State, died on January 26, 2017 at the age of 91. Bulbulian was a native of Mexicali, Mexico, but grew up on a farm in the Del Rey area.

Bulbulian was actively involved in many organizations. He traveled to Armenia on several occasions, with the Armenian Technology Group and the Armenia Tree Project. Bulbulian was a board member of the Saroyan Society in Fresno and also a member of the Friends of the Henry Madden Library at Fresno State.

Mr. Bulbulian’s The Fresno Armenians: History of Diaspora Community, was published by The Press at California State University, Fresno in 2000. The Fresno Armenians tells of the triumphs and lifestyles of the first Armenian settlers and their evolution into today’s community. Bulbulian decided to pursue this project through the support and enthusiasm of Professor Dickran Kouymjian, Haig and Isabel Berberian Professor of Armenian Studies. Prof. Kouymjian also wrote the introduction to the book.

Bulbulian dedicated the book in memory of his parents Yghish and Zaruhi and his wife’s parents, Mikael and Vartuhi Krikorian, “and to all the other hardy and courageous Armenian immigrants who struggled against formidable odds to create today’s Fresno Armenian community. Without their driving energy directed to prevail rather than to merely survive, the community would not be what it is today.”

After his return from military service, he attended Fresno State College for one year and then graduated from UCLA with a B.A. in Philosophy.

He was one of the founding members of the California Rural Legal Assistance, providing legal aid to the poor.

At one time, the family farmed 150 acres of tree fruit, wine and raisin grapes. When Mr. Bulbulian wasn’t on the farm, he was in a meeting hall or testifying before a congressional subcommittee.

Bulbulian is survived by wife Alice Krikorian Bulbulian and daughters Christine Barile, Linda Bulbulian and Carol Cannon and five grandchildren.