Obituary of Michael Kestigian

Michael ‘Mike’ Kestigian, 95, passed away peacefully at his home in Waterford, CT, Saturday, June 8 2024.

Born and raised in Charlton, MA, Mike was the last of seven children of Vartan and Vartanoush Kestigian. He served in the Pacific Theatre during WWII and was honorably discharged with the rank of Sergeant.

He received a Ph.D in Chemistry from the University of Connecticut and would become renowned for the creation of many novel compounds that would become vital ingredients in the development of color televisions, the first laser ever used in cataract surgery, night-vision devices and even aboard NASA space missions.

Mike worked for some of America’s leading technology companies, including DuPont, RCA, Sperry Rand, Honeywell and Loral. He authored or co-authored more than 200 professional papers in leading scientific journals and belonged to many scientific societies, as well as co-founded the American Congress of Crystal Growth.

He is survived by his loving wife of 74 years Jean French Kestigian; two sons, Michael B. and Mark C. Kestigian and their wives; two grandchildren, Michael D. and Aidan E. Kestigian and their spouses; one sister, Betty Kestigian; several nieces and nephews.

A full military funeral will take place at a later date. The family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Mike Kestigian may be made to the Holy Trinity Armenian Apostolic Church, 635 Grove St., Worcester, MA 01605 or to the Niantic Baptist Church, 443 Main St., Niantic, CT 06357.