Andrew "ANDO" Dadagian, M.D, 94
Andrew "ANDO" Dadagian, M.D., age 94, passed away at home on November 30, 2025, surrounded by his loving family. He was born on August 10, 1931, in Watertown, and was the only child of the late Rose (Meremian) and John Dadagian. Andy's work ethic, appreciation of life, and resilience were shaped by his childhood in Watertown, known as 'Little Armenia'. His parents, whose families had been killed in the Armenian Genocide, met and married in France and immigrated to America. Andy explained that when they arrived in this country, his parents did not know how to read or write the language and had no funds. "To this day, I cannot comprehend how they survived," he noted.
Andy was a superb track and field athlete. While on the Watertown High School track team, Andy set numerous school records, was a captain, and led the team to indoor and outdoor state championships. He won state titles in the 440- and 600-yard events and high jump, and was inducted into the Watertown Hall of Fame in 2010. After graduating from Watertown High in 1950, Andy was awarded a scholarship to Wilbraham Academy, where he flourished. He was a National Merit Scholar and named Wilbraham's Most Outstanding Athlete. He won the 440-yard event at the National Prep School Championships in Madison Square Garden in 1951. At Cornell University, Andy was a top collegiate athlete in the 400-meter hurdles and 600-yard dash. He anchored the Cornell mile-relay team, which won both the Ivy League Championship and the Penn Relay Championship for three consecutive years. As senior captain, he starred at the Heptagonal Games, helping Cornell win both indoor and outdoor titles. He was selected to represent the U.S. at a series of European track meets and set Ireland's 440-yard hurdles record in 1954. He was named the Armenian Athlete of the Year in 1954 by the Armenian General Athletic Union. While at Cornell, Andy won the Woodford Oratorical Contest and spoke movingly about his experiences as a first-generation Armenian-American. He was the first captain of any varsity sport at Cornell to win this prestigious award. Upon graduation, he attended New York Medical College and became an otolaryngologist. During his final year in medical school, Andy met the love of his life, Barbara Davison, and they married 6 months later. This year marks their 66th wedding anniversary. He was a captain in the U.S. Air Force for two years and eventually moved to Marion. He loved being a physician and helping people, always showing patients and colleagues kindness and respect. He practiced at Sturdy Memorial Hospital, Tobey Hospital, and St. Luke's Hospital in New Bedford, where he was Chief of Otolaryngology.
Andy's pride and joy was his family. He prioritized his children and was incredibly generous with his love and time. Grandpa was the infallible beacon of wisdom. His dinner toasts were as nourishing as the meals, which often consisted of Armenian specialties like pilaf, shish kebab, and paklava. Family gatherings involved playing cards and backgammon and watching Seinfeld reruns. Andy and Barbara traveled extensively, attending multiple Olympic Games, enjoying river boat cruises throughout Europe, and spending time in Aruba every winter. Often labelled 'The World's Most Interesting Man' by friends, Andy was charismatic, curious, and adventurous. A proud New England Patriots season ticket holder since 1974, Andy attended every game he could. Being invited to a Patriots game with him was like finding the golden ticket in Willy Wonka; all guests were guaranteed a grilled rare steak and a good parking spot.
Though Andy's parents never drove or owned a car, he was a passionate automobile enthusiast, a self-taught engine master. He loved driving sports cars, preferably at high speeds, yet was drawn to the history and elegance of classic antique cars. His Cadillac V16 Roadster and 1938 Horch Cabriolet were awarded National Championship honors. The Marion July 4th Parade was a family highlight, with him behind the wheel of his 1929 red Stutz Blackhawk Roadster, followed by his 1930 Dodge Woody, both cars filled with his grandchildren. A joy of his later years was being driven by his sons in the Dodge Woody to get ice cream. Andy loved nature and spent hours planting tulip bulbs from Holland. He marveled at the world of birds and never left the feeders empty. He considered his beloved Suzy, an Old English sheepdog he trained, to be the standard of excellence for all other family dogs. Suzy sparked Andy and Barbara to breed Old English sheepdogs for many years.
He is survived by his devoted wife, Barbara; his son Stephen Dadagian and wife Katherine, of Concord; his daughter, Jacqueline Dadagian and husband Gary, of Arlington; his daughter Laura Dadagian-O'Rourke and husband, James, of Oak Bluffs and Marion; his daughter Andrea Bilodeau, of Marion; and his son Christian Dadagian and wife, Jennifer, of Hopkinton; eleven grandchildren, Antranig 'Max', Theo, Benjamin, Marina, Zachary, Andrew, Julia, Alexander, Zoë, Sam, and Ryder; and two great grandchildren, Cameron and Blair.
When asked what he would like included in his obituary, Andy replied, "He lived a full and extraordinary life." That he did. He will be missed tremendously.
The family will gather privately to honor his memory.
