Peter John Kekligian Jr

Portsmouth, RI - Peter John Kekligian, Jr., 75, of 60 Lee Avenue, Portsmouth, died Sunday, October 24, 2004, at the Newport Hospital, Newport, RI.He was the husband of Sylvia Downing Kekligian. Born in Revere, MA on May 24, 1929, he was the son of the late Peter John and Jennie Chilingerian Kekligian. He was a Graduate of the New England Conservatory of Music and received his Masters Degree in education from Rhode Island College. Mr. Kekligian grew up in Chelsea, MA. After serving in the 1st Calvary Division of the United States Army during the Korean Conflict, he traveled up and down the East Coast as a member of the Four Esquires.During the 1950?s and 1960?s he taught music in Maine and at Lakenheath High School in England.In 1963, Mr. Kekligian became a music teacher at Portsmouth High School, where he worked for 33 years, before retiring in 1996. He had also been the Class Advisor for the Class of 1986.Mr. Kekligian also worked at the Venus de Milo as a member of the Vin Perry Quartet for over 30 years. He was a member of the American Federation of Live Music Local #216. He was also the organist at St. Paul?s Episcopal Church in Portsmouth during the 1970?s. He was an avid Red Sox and Patriots Fan. Besides his wife of 42 years, he is survived by four daughters Suzanne Kekligian of Folsom, CA, Kim Stamoulis of Middletown, RI, Jill Kekligian of Portsmouth, RI, and Michelle Dupille of Manchester, NH, and six grandchildren.He was the father of his late twin sons Peter Paul Kekligian and the brother of the late Althea Donovan. His funeral will be held on Friday, October 29, 2004, at 10:00 AM in St. Marys Episcopal Church, 324 East Main Road, Portsmouth. Burial will be in St. Marys Churchyard in Portsmouth. Donations in his memory may be made to the Portsmouth Volunteer Fire Dpt. Rescue Wagon Fund, P.O. Box 806, Portsmouth, RI, 02871, or to the American Lung Association, 61 Broadway, 6th Floor, New York, NY, 10006.