Gabriel Tatarian, chief of ob/gyn at hospital

The "a-ha moment" for Gabriel Tatarian came at a party when, light-headed, he passed out.

When he regained consciousness, son Gabriel T. said, Dr. Tatarian determined to get himself into shape.

After the episode, "he was a pretty avid runner, from age 50 to 88," his son said. "He was running five miles a day for 15 years, to 65."

And that was despite a demanding day job.

On Monday, Nov. 17, Dr. Tatarian, 91, of Moorestown, from 1961 to 1988 the co-chief of obstetrics and gynecology at the Rancocas Valley division of the former Zurbrugg Memorial Hospital, died at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital.

Born in Philadelphia, Dr. Tatarian began his college career at Temple University from 1941 to 1943, studied for a year in the Navy V-12 officer-training program at Tufts University, and, after Navy service in the South Pacific, earned a bachelor's degree at Temple in 1947.

Dr. Tatarian graduated from Jefferson Medical College in 1952 and completed his residency there in obstetrics and gynecology in 1957.

After his residency, he was in private practice in Bridgeton, N.J. While at Zurbrugg, his son said, Dr. Tatarian maintained a private practice in his specialty in Willingboro.

In 1985-86, he was president of the Armenian-American Medical and Dental Association of Greater Philadelphia.

In 1972, Dr. Tatarian bought a 42-foot yacht, in part because he was proud of having been a Navy officer. "In his soul, he was a boater," his son said.

"He came from nothing," his son said, and so he named the yacht the Impossible Dream.

And each time as he pushed off from the mooring on the Sassafras River heading out into the Chesapeake Bay, he would play Frank Sinatra's version of "The Impossible Dream (The Quest)."

His continuing love of the Navy extended into his 80s, when, for about five years, he was a docent on the Battleship New Jersey on the Delaware River, taking children on tours and "telling of his role in World War II," his son said.

"About six years ago, he moved from the home he built in 1969 in Moorestown to the Evergreens," the retirement community there. "And he became a very vital member of their community - head of the medical affairs committee there."

Besides his son, Dr. Tatarian is survived by his wife, Virginia; daughter Christine Parseghian; and four grandchildren.

A viewing was set from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Friday, Nov. 21 at St. Sahag and St. Mesrob Armenian Apostolic Church, 630 Clothier Rd., Wynnewood, Pa. 19096, before a 10:30 a.m. Funeral Mass there, with interment in Lakeview Memorial Park, Cinnaminson.

Donations may be sent to the church at the above address.

Condolences may be offered to the family at www.lewisfuneralhomemoorestown.com.

610-313-8134 @WNaedele