Peter Kassapian (T58)
PETER STEPHEN KEROPE KASSAPIAN (T58) 21st July 1940 – 1st November 2016 joined Gilling Castle in 1948, following his elder brothers Garry (T53, died 2011) and Ronald (T53). He entered St Thomas’ House in 1954 from Junior House and left the school in 1956. The family were Armenian Catholics, dealing in fine wool in Bradford. A proud member of the then Lower Remove he was the most loyal of Old Amplefordians, strong in friendship, and loved telling stories against himself – most of them with a necessary embroidery. But he once showed me his smoking den, and I am assured by the family that he was never caught.
He joined his brothers at Kassapians. For some years all went well, and it was no disadvantage, as his father said, that ‘everyone likes Peter.’ But in the seventies, British textiles lost competitive edge, and cheaper, often inferior, imports came in. Kassapians diversified, and a hand knitting business made money. But in the end, the family sold up, and the great warehouse was sold.
Peter was often at Ampleforth, especially at Easter, with a group of friends, serving at the liturgy and meeting with Easter joy after the midnight Mass on Holy Saturday. But the most important change in his life was to meet Jean, widow of gifted Chinese restauranteur. He wooed Jean by serving at her table and won her. They had a son, Jack, named after Jack Aldridge, a remarkable Ampleforth parent who had survived a Japanese POW camp. Jack is serving now in the RAF, and his first son David, is now a Brigadier, and served in the Royal Marines.
Sustained by Jean, Peter remained as generous, friendly and kind as ever. On the day of his death, he was preparing supper to await Jean’s return; duty done, he sat down before the TV. He died with the remote control in his hand. For sure he is with the Lord. His many friends mourn Peter and pray for him: many came to his Requiem.
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