This week, Watertown said goodbye to a man who devoted his life to three things: family, business, and the community. Thousands lined up in the cold weather for his wake on Tuesday, and on Wednesday hundreds sat in the pews at St. Patrick’s Church for the funeral of John S. Airasian.
While he served on many community organizations through the years — the Watertown-Belmont Chamber of Commerce, the Rotary Club of Watertown, the Arsenal Reuse Committee, and the Traffic Commission — many they will remember Airasian for his friendly demeanor, desire to help others, and his love of his hometown.
His three sons — Pete, Bob, and John — remembered their father during Wednesday’s funeral service. Each mentioned his devotion to Marie, his wife of more than 53 years (Bob called their relationship “the definition of love and commitment”), as well as his brothers, sons, and grandchildren.
In and outside of Watertown, he became recognizable for the commercials for Eastern Clothing, which often ran on Red Sox, Bruins, and other sporting events. He took over the business when his father passed away in 1968 and “turned it into a powerhouse,” Pete said.
“He lefgt school to start learning from the floor and that’s where he stayed for 50 years,” Pete said. “He loved building the business alongside his brother Paul, in creative ways: giving away tickets to the B’s, running ads during games, and later cable media advertising. Each step took the business to another level.”
His son John joined him at the store 26 years ago, and the younger John spoke of how he marveled at his ability to negotiate, and to satisfy any customer, whether they were buying a suit or just a pair of socks. The store on Coolidge Hill Road became more than a place of business.
“When I graduated from college, I began working full time in the store. It was a revolving door of people seeking his advice,” John said. “My father never said no. He always made the call, he always followed through, and he always delivered.”
John spoke of the bottom drawer in his father’s desk, which could hardly be opened because it was so full.
“Over the years I watched it fill up with the cards, letters and notes of gratitude for people my father had helped,” John said.
Pete called his father the most selfless person he ever met, and recalled how he liked being involved in things.
“He loved being in the middle of the action, solving problems, helping people, building business, or working in the community, whether it was on the Traffic Commission, or helping someone get elected, he loved seeing things get done, especially if it benefited Watertown, his pride and joy,” Pete said.
He became an ardent support of political candidates, Bob said, seeking local, regional, and statewide offices. Bob recalled his parents hosting campaign fundraisers at their home for the Tolman brothers (Warren and Steven), Tom Reilly, Peter Koutoujian, Rachel Kaprielian, Jonathan Hecht, Mike Dukakis, Mike Capuano, and more.
Many of those he supported attended the funeral, along with current and former Council Presidents, police chiefs, state representatives, City Councilors, City staff, and even actress Eliza Dushku accompanied by her brother and former Councilor Aaron.
Airasian always stressed the importance of giving back to the community.
“Watertown became his fourth child. It was in his blood. He couldn’t get enough of it. He was like a one man PR firm and his only client being Watertown,” Bob said. “He always told us, keep your money here: bank at Watertown Savings, shop at Coolidge Hardware, eat at local restaurants.”
One of the ways Airasian left his mark was helping to push for the change in Watertown’s form of government, leaving the Town Meeting format and moving to one with a Town (now City) Council and a Manager.
“When it came to Watertown, forget it, there was no better place in the world. He was always promoting it, always seeing its potential,” John said. “When he and others led the charge to change the form of government, he knew what it would mean for the town’s future. And since then Watertown has flourished, and my father’s fingerprints are all over its success.”
Many, many people have reached out to the family since Airasian passed, Pete said. He received many messages, but the one that stood out most was from a woman he hadn’t seen in 30 years.
“It said, ‘Pete, thank you for sharing your father with an entire town. He wasn’t just a father to you and your siblings. He modeled the love, the partner, and was a responsible man to so many,'” Pete said. “His love for his family is reflected in how he was admired by so many.”
Airasian’s wake at MacDonald Rockwell Funeral Service on Tuesday lasted five hours. Funeral Director AJ Urquhart said it was one of the biggest crowds he can recall, and said more than 1,000 people filed through to pay their respects. Many waited more than two hours in bone-chilling winds.
“The turnout last night was pretty impressive,” Pete said. “It shows how much this town cared and respected my father. We all appreciate it.”
Airasian followed in the footsteps of his father in more way than one.
“My father used to tell us when his father died, at his wake he shook so many hands that he started to form a blister,” Bob said. “And I can tell you there are some people in the front row with sore backs and sore feet. Last night was just an incredible showing.”
John concluded his eulogy recalling his father’s strong spirit.
“He believed deeply in three things: family, business, and community, and even in his final days, when so much had been taken from him, if you mentioned one of these three things — Airasian, Eastern Clothing or Watertown — his face would still light up,” John said. “And I take great comfort in that because even though this terrible disease took you from us too soon, you can never take away what he built, what he believed in, and what he loved most: family, business and community.”