Antoine Kehyaian (Sir) (1922-2013)

Antoine Kehyaian (Sir) (1922-2013)

Antoine Kehyaian was born in Adana (Cilicia), on February 5, 1922. As a refugee, he passed through several cities before finally settling in Cyprus. Kehyaian first studied at the Terra-Santa College in Cyprus, and after completing primary school, he studied at the American Academy in Cyprus, where he specialized in accounting and English language. He continued his high school education at the International College in Beirut. Upon graduation, he started his career first as an office employee, and soon afterward as a teacher, after meeting Levon Shant. “I owe my love for teaching to Levon Shant. He was the one who ordained me as a teacher and taught me Armenian,” Sir said. Sir began teaching English in Djemaran in 1949; with his unique methodology, he taught his students accurate pronunciation and grammar. In 1954, he was appointed head of the Djemaran dormitory, a position he held until the discontinuation of that department. A man of many interests, Sir had a wide knowledge in literature, pedagogy, and politics.