PAUL "Jingo" JINGOZIAN

Paul Jingozian – affectionately known as “Jingo” – was a devoted husband and father of one son and two daughters. He left us peacefully on December 11, 2024 at the age of 86 years young. He was born in Detroit, Michigan in 1938, to the late Simon and Soultan Sahagian (“Suzy”) Jingozian – two brave Armenians who survived the Armenian Genocide and came to America to start a new life. 

Rouphen Parsegh Jingozian, showing independence and pure moxy at a very young age, jumped on a bus for downtown Detroit to change his name to Paul Rouphen Jingozian and accomplished a feat that would follow him throughout his life: Be flexible and follow your dreams.

An incurable optimist, Jingo had many friends that he considered family. Through his 65 years in the financial services business, Jingo was in a class by himself. He was a very successful stockbroker for many years with Merrill Lynch before passing his clientele over to his longtime partner and going into management, taking on a massive reduction in compensation and a substantial elevation of headaches. Why would anybody do such a thing? Because Jingo loved to teach.

There are scores of financial advisors today who owe a debt of gratitude to Jingo. He took his mentorship seriously and was a great listener. He demanded integrity, grittiness and hard work, but tempered it with a strong belief in spending time with family and enjoying life’s other avenues outside of work.

A graduate of Mumford High School in Detroit and then Michigan State University, Jingo played freshman football as running back before an injury sidelined him as a player. Upon graduation, with an eye toward advertising, Jingo got an interview with Goodbody & Co, a financial powerhouse back in those days, and won the job solely on his drive and ebullient personality. On his first day at Goodbody, Jingo innocently asked his boss what he should do. When the White Pages phone book was tossed his way, Jingo snatched it in midair and found an empty desk. Jingo was never short with a story and soon his prowess for building his clientele became legendary.

Which brings us to a very endearing part of his magnetic persona: Jingo-isms. Yogi Berra may have had his pithy quotes, but those who worked with Jingo would roar in laughter with some of his more memorable snippets that he would bellow to his constituents:

● “Be aggressive with non-aggressive products!” – A battle cry to get every client on board with the most conservative of products or ideas

● “Eagles don’t flock!” – Referencing that elite achievers separate themselves from the pack

● “Time lock!” – An admonition to those to not let yesterday’s troubles seep into today

● “Be a driver, not a passenger!” – Stop being a bystander and own up to your dreams and pursuits.

● “Stay in the day!” – Tomorrow is promised to nobody, so get on with what you need to do now

● “Reach one hand down to help others; take your other hand and reach up to make yourself the best you can be!” – No explanation needed

● “So, what’s the positive?” – What lessons were learned from an adverse outcome?

Can you see the positivity in each of those Jingo-isms? The man was equal parts philosopher, charismatic and genuine warmth. Get in the elevator on the first floor and by the time the door opens, you have added a new friend. His favorite question of those unaware, “Hey, where are you from?” Even the most indifferent souls he encountered would melt at his warm smile and aura that evoked, “friend.”

A fighter to the end, Jingo should have succumbed to illness or tragedy several times in the past 28 years. Each hurdle impossibly cleared when a dire outcome was a virtual certainty, a testament to his willpower and optimism. His doctor and Godsend, Dr. Aaron Berman, is not only a gifted physician who helped Jingo clear those hurdles, but he’s now a lifelong friend. Thank you, Dr. Berman, for your dedication to our family and supported by your incredible staff.

Jingo will be reunited with his wife of over 58 years, Millie, in their next chapter. Both of them loved to travel, experience different cultures, play golf at really cool places and together managed to see many corners of the world. We can only see Jingo now lining up a 25-foot putt for birdie and exclaim, “Millie, watch this!” and then hear Millie retort once the putt missed, “Jingo, that wasn’t even close.” Jingo would then erupt in laughter and move to the next hole unaffected by the slight. Those who witnessed them together will approve of this story. For us, and those who knew Jingo well, our lesson from our favorite teacher is: “Seize the day and cherish those around you that make you a better person.” Amen to that.

FAMILY MEMBERS

Jingo is survived by his two daughters Paula (John), Michele (Billy) and son Gary (Nan) Tungate. Cherished papa to seven grandchildren: Scott, Andrew, Lauren, Armani, Peyton, Gavin and Alex. Jingo was preceded in death by his wife, Millie and his sister Mary (Jerry) Demirjian. He will also be missed by many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS

Visitation will be held on Monday December 16, 2024 from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm with a 6:30 pm Dan Gark prayer service at St. John Armenian Church (22001 Northwestern Highway in Southfield). An additional visitation will be held on Tuesday, December 17, 2024 from 10:00 am until the 11:00 am funeral service.

Following the funeral service in Church, the memorial meal will be held immediately at the Tam O’Shanter Country Club located at 5051 Orchard Lake Rd, West Bloomfield Township, MI 48323.

Jingo's final resting place will be next to Millie in Florida.

MEMORIAL DONATIONS

To honor Jingo’s belief in the power and importance of giving back, in lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to the charity you most love…that’s what he would have wanted. Be a driver, of course; no passengers allowed. Naturally, if you would like to honor a charity that Jingo affiliated with, you can make a donation in Jingo's memory to St. John Armenian Church.

CONDOLENCES

Kindly click on "Share a Mamoey" to leave a remebrance/condolence. Later click on "Tribute Wall" to view them.

FLORISTS

Pleas deliver all floral tributes directly to St. John Armenian Church

THANK YOU

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of PAUL "Jingo" JINGOZIAN, please visit our floral store.