By: Talin Orfali Ghazarian
September 1st, 2020
A year ago on September 1st, 2019, I woke up and started my day like every other day, and so it was time for me to get ready to go to a coffee shop here in Toronto, Canada to meet with my friends near our Armenian Church. I was excited to see them. I started up my car and there I went. I get there and my friends got there few minutes after I did. So we were having conversations and weren’t look at our phones.
Another friend messages me about an hour to an hour and a half after. So I responded, I decided I will check my Facebook news feed since I had my phone out, and there it was. The worst day of my life just unfolded within seconds when I read the announcement that our Armenian Icon Adiss Harmandian passed away. My world just came crashing down as I am sure everyone else did when they received the message.
I began to cry so hard in front of everyone and they knew how much I adore, respect and appreciate Adiss. My whole mood was full of raw emotions. I decided to call it a night and go home as I was not in the mood to talk anymore. Everything just shut down for me. I couldn’t sleep properly for days and I couldn’t just sit there and not do anything. Ever since I was a kid, I met our Icon Adiss, took pictures with him, shared memories, had conversations, and listened to his beautiful songs and I still do today all thanks to my mother who introduced me to him.
Family, friends and fans were all devastated by hearing this terrible news as the news traveled fast around the world to those who love, appreciate and adore him.
Whenever we went to our cottage and Montreal on highway 401 since I was a kid until now, we always listen to Adiss music and so my husband and I drove down to Montreal twice within two weeks last year, so we listened to him the whole way to dedicate it to him. He is so perfect to listen to in the car, at home and everywhere.
Before Adiss Harmandian passed away, a few years before that I connected with his family and became close. I just couldn’t sit back and not do anything. I created a tribute group to Adiss a day or two later to allow his family, friends and fans to join in to share memories, photos, music and more about him. Ultimately it is to keep his legacy alive and to cherish moments. We shed many tears, and it was such a crazy time and still is to this day. It is still so fresh in our emotions.
We were not able to fly to make it to Adiss funeral which was held about a week after his passing on September 7th, 2019, however we booked a flight soon after. On November 17th, 2019 my family and I flew to Los Angeles from Toronto to spend time with his family and to visit his grave site to pay our respects at Forest Lawn, Hollywood Hills. We laid red roses, prayed. We spent a week or so in Los Angeles and flew back.
Adiss has appeared in my dreams many times. I have lost count. I feel that his presence is in my home with many signs coming from him. Mourning grey pigeon doves keep appearing, white feathers, and so many other ways that he is communicating with our family from heaven. It is amazing and comforting. He knew how much we love him and how much we appreciate him.
We never lost the opportunity to go see him at his concerts, and dance parties in Montreal and here in Toronto. We would always secure tickets to see him and every time we would talk to him and take pictures each time. Glad we did. We will never forget it.
For his one year commemoration memorial, My mother and I were supposed to fly back to Los Angeles to pay our respects and to be there this week, however due to COVID19 our plans were derailed, we could not make it in, however we will go back once this pandemic is all over with. That is a promise. Just recently a plaque with his name has been placed at his grave site. It was very emotional to see the pictures and still cannot get over the shock of his passing and seeing his plaque felt so final, felt so permanent. There isn’t anymore tears left.
I made the promise to his family, friends and fans worldwide that I will keep his legacy alive and that is my life’s mission and I am keeping my promise. If you have not joined his group on Facebook — In loving memory of Avedis Adiss Harmandian – Tribute to Honor his Legacy, please do so. Also you can check on YouTube for his music and go on the App and download Yerker to find his music and listen in. There are lots of tribute videos and music dedicated to Adiss.
This year has been a very difficult one. We still cannot believe that our Legendary icon Adiss Harmandian has passed away. It is something we cannot process and we do not ever think we will ever accept. Yes, it is part of life, but for some people you think they will live forever. I know one thing, Adiss is living forever through his legacy, music, and in our hearts of those who love and adore him. He will forever live on through us. Keep spreading your angel wings Adiss. We miss you and we will never forget you. We love you and may you rest in peace.