Sarkis William Malkasian

 In Loving Memory of Sarkis William Malkasian: "The Mayor of the Heights"

On Sunday, August 13, 2023, we said goodbye to Sarkis William Malkasian, beloved father, grandfather, great-grandfather, professional athlete, coach, educator and iconic leader in the Del Paso Heights community. Known as "the Mayor of the Heights," Sark was a patriarch not only to his family, but also to the thousands of students he mentored as the principal of Grant Union High School (1972-1983), where he championed the school's transformation into an academic and athletic powerhouse in the region.

Sark's life was a testament to dedication, passion, and unwavering commitment to family, education, and service. Born on March 16, 1922, to Tatios and Hripsime Malkasian, immigrant parents who fled the Armenian genocide, Sark's remarkable life is the quintessential "American success story."

His journey began in Watertown, an Armenian refugee community in Boston that helped Sark's father raise him after his mother died when he was four months old. His stepmother, Zaroug, provided love and support to Sark and his siblings, Andy and Louise.
Despite its distance from his home, Sark chose to attend historic Boston English High School, the oldest public high school in the nation and home to the strongest athletic and academic programs in Massachusetts. Sark was a natural athlete and excelled in sports. He became the first "four-letter man" in Boston's history, shining in football, hockey, baseball, and track. Sark earned a place on the varsity football team as a sophomore and his 37-yard dropkick field goal still holds the state record.

After graduating high school in 1941, Sark achieved his dream of becoming a professional athlete when he signed a contract with the Boston Braves. Despite this success, Sark's strong sense of patriotism and personal responsibility led him to enlist in the Marines in 1943. Sark applied for combat duty, but his athletic reputation preceded him, and he was assigned spots on the Marine Corps Baseball and Navy All-Star Football teams.

After his discharge in 1946, Sark earned baseball and football scholarships at Western Illinois University, concurrently playing professional baseball with the Chicago White Sox organization until a shoulder injury ended his career. Sark graduated from WIU and earned his Master's degree in Health from Boston University in 1950, the same year he became engaged to Leanore Kasparian of Fresno, CA. Sark and Leanore were married on June 30, 1951 and moved to Sacramento that fall, where Sark had lined up a job as a history teacher and head baseball and assistant football coach with the Grant Joint Union High School District. This was the start of Sark's passion for education and his 32-year commitment to Del Paso Heights and its extraordinary citizens. During this time Sark also started a baseball camp for local youth, including all-star and former San Francisco Giants manager Dusty Baker.

Sark firmly believed "Family is everything!", and he and Leanore had three children over the next decade – Jeffrey, Gary and Melissa. At the same time, Sark enrolled in night classes at Sacramento State University to earn his degree in School Administration. He was named principal of Del Paso Junior High School in 1960, a position he held until district superintendent Ed Walsh, at the request of community leaders, asked Sark to lead Grant Union High School in 1972.

Sark's approach to solving the complex issues facing Grant Union High School in the early 70s was rooted in the simple slogan he used to end his daily PA system school-wide announcements – "Grant High School is #1." Sark passionately believed this, and, under his leadership, the students, staff and community made it a reality. Grant launched "Knowledge Bowl," an annual Jeopardy-style academic competition between high schools in the region. Grant became the largest MESA (Mathematics, English, Science Achievement) Program in the US, inspiring and preparing minority students to pursue careers in the sciences. It was the first school in the district with classroom computers, enabling students to secure summer jobs and then full-time positions at HP after graduation.

After his retirement in 1983, Sark remained active in state education and public service. He was appointed to the State Athletic Commission by Governor George Deukmejian and served two terms on the State Board of Education, including time as chairman of the Policy and Planning Commission.

Beyond his significant professional achievements, Sark's greatest pride and commitment was to his family. Leanore, Sark's beloved wife and partner in all things for 44 years, passed away in 1995.

Sarkis William Malkasian is survived by the family he loved and cherished: Sons Jeffrey (Yelixa) and Gary (Judith) and daughter Melissa Gordon (Dan); grandchildren Ani, Sevana (Eric), Serena (Ivan), Melissa, Glenn (Maxine), Oliver (Alyse), Haley (Deshawn), Cameron and 11 great-grandchildren.

Sark, (Bill) is also survived by his wife of 26 years, Marilyn Sconberg, who he married in 1997.
Sark Malkasian's legacy lives on in the hearts of his family, friends, and the countless students he touched. His determination, kindness, and dedication to making the world a better place will be remembered for generations to come. As we bid farewell, let us celebrate the remarkable journey of a true American success story – a man who faced challenges head-on, accomplished feats that will forever inspire, and left an indelible mark on the world.
Your legacy lives on in your loving family, the thousands of students you guided and the Del Paso Heights community you championed. We say goodbye and celebrate your remarkable life, your boundless compassion and the inspiration you've given us all.
Rest in Peace, with all our Love; Dad, Papa, Sark, Bill, Mr. Malkasian.