Khachig Konyalian, MD F.A.C.S.

Dr. Khachig Konyalian, 89,  of Forked River, died Friday, June 17, 2022 at home surrounded by his loving family. Khachig was born in Beirut, Lebanon and grew up in Aleppo, Syria with his sisters Rita and Sonia.

He attended medical school at the American University of Beirut and served his residency at Upstate Medical Center in Syracuse, NY.  In college he was the goalie on his school’s soccer team, and once bowled a 300 game. After his residency, he held several surgical positions. He was an excellent physician, beloved by his patients and staff. After moving to Forked River with his wife Any and daughter Lori, he was on staff at Southern Ocean County Hospital, where also served a number of years as chief of surgery. 

Khachig loved cars, music, soccer, birds, technology, the food of his homeland, and to sing, slightly off-key, “Getting to Know You.” For years he enjoyed his fine collection of pipes. He had a quirky sense of humor, and enjoyed discussing politics, the news of the day, and his life experiences with others. Ask anyone and they could tell you of a story that stuck with them that Khachig related. His kindness, generosity and love were always in evidence. And we would be remiss if we did not mention his toy poodle, Dusty, who for years used to sit on his human father’s lap at dinner and eat from a fork.

But above all, Khachig loved his family. Nothing mattered to him more, and he was never happier than when seeing his daughters Lori and Zabelle and their families. He enjoyed immensely visits from and to his sisters and Sonia’s husband Wayne in California, and his brother-in-law Achod and his wife Mona in Montreal. His face would light up whenever he saw his large extended family of nieces, nephews, life-long friends and former colleagues.

Surviving is his beloved wife of 52 years, Any Amassian-Konyalian and his daughters, Lori and Zabelle. He also enjoyed the company of his son-in-law’s Chris, husband to Lori and Mike, husband to Zabelle. And nothing made him happier than his grandchildren: Lori’s sons Alexander and Nicolas, and Zabelle’s son Jacob and her daughter Gabrielle. 

In lieu of flowers, consider making donations to the National Kidney Foundation, www.kidney.org.

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