John A. Chopoorian, PhD

Rehoboth, MA – John A. Chopoorian, PhD., 94, of Rehoboth, MA and formerly of Portsmouth RI, passed away peacefully Monday, September 7, 2026 at home surrounded by his loving family.

  Jack was born in 1932 in Providence to first generation Armenian immigrants Andrew and Zabelle Chopoorian, survivors of the Armenian Genocide. His parents instilled in him the values of hard work, commitment to family, and service to others, which would define his life.

   At Mount Pleasant High School he was a standout football player and scholar. He would go on to play football for Brown University. Graduating in 1954, Jack was commissioned as a Naval Officer serving aboard the battleship USS Wisconsin. After the Navy, Jack went on to Florida State University where he would earn his PhD in Chemistry and meet and marry the first of his two great loves, Modena Rae Avery whom he married in 1962. After graduate school, he embarked on his scientific career to England on a Fulbright Scholarship.

   As a scientist, Jack was one of the co-discoverers of the mechanisms of photochromism and electrochromism. In the early 1960s, Jack, working alongside his lab partner S.K. Deb, published some of the earliest peer-reviewed models detailing how certain dynamic materials change color. They were the first to hypothesize that light absorption triggers the formation of a crystal lattice to trap photo generated electrons. Their early frameworks, the Deb-Chopoorian Model, laid the groundwork for how scientists would understand photo-induced and electro-induced coloration in transition metals. Jack held 18 patents including pivotal patents during his time working for American Cyanamid and Union Carbide creating the building blocks utilized in modern electro photochromic devices from smart windows to energy-saving digital displays, to toys that changed color in sunlight.

  He went on to executive marketing roles in the chemical industry, where he was an attaché and an evangelist for a wave of American scientific achievements and technology that reshaped the material world well into the 21st century.

   Jack would move on from his first career in industry to subsequent entrepreneurial efforts, returning to South Eastern New England. During this period of transition, his family suffered the devastating loss of his son Jeffery, a loss which spurred Jack to a deeper commitment to his faith; a commitment which would endure to the end of his life. In a testament to resilience, it was amidst this sad and difficult time that Jack began what would be his over 30 year career as an educator at the University of Massachusetts, Dartmouth.

   Jack started as a professor of Marketing, eventually honored as a Chancellor Professor — an honor given to a small proportion of faculty — of Marketing and Information Systems. At UMD he educated generations of students, supported local businesses as the head of the Small Business Association, led his school as interim Dean, and was among the foundational faculty in the accreditation and expansion of the business school into the Charlton School of Business. In addition to his many accolades, he took particular pleasure leading student groups abroad as the faculty advisor to the International Business Association.

   In the late 80s, Jack would also transition to a leadership role in his family’s business as President and Treasurer of The Mansion Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, in Central Falls. Jack along with his sister, Dr. Teresa Chopoorian, herself a lauded university professor, and longtime Administrator of the Mansion, would help shepherd the family nursing home into the modern era of skilled nursing care. Together they carried a 70 year legacy of exemplary award-winning service to the health and wellbeing of elders begun by their parents.

   In 1991, Jack faced another great loss with the passing of his wife Modena. His commitment to his family and his many responsibilities did not waiver and in 1993 he was blessed by marrying his last great love, Patricia. Pat renewed his joy for life and through her care and efforts, anchored his extraordinary energy and vitality unto his last days.

   Jack was a devoted and much enjoyed husband, father, brother, and grandfather. In the later part of his life, Jack was a member of many communities. In addition to the Chopoorian and Correia families, he loved his time with friends and colleagues at the Mansion, UMass, his church, the Rhode Island Healthcare Association, the former Visionary Group, and the Pawtucket Central Falls Development Corporation and many others in his great and wide association.

   Jack loved life. His humor, kindness, and intelligence were dear to all who knew him. His exemplary accomplishments shine, but are dim compared to the spirit that shaped them.

  He is survived by his wife, Patricia; his sons Gregory and Jason; their wives Lydia and Farahnaz; Pat’s son Christopher; his sister Teresa; and his grandchildren Nathaniel, Michael, Alexander and Teddy.

   His funeral service was held Saturday, September 12, 2026 at 11 A.M. in Calvary Temple Assembly of God, 4321 North Main Street, Fall River, MA. His burial was private in North Burial Ground, Providence, RI.

   In lieu of flowers, contributions in Dr. Chopoorian’s memory to Calvary Temple Assembly of God, 4321 North Main Street, Falls River, MA 02720 or to Leukemia Research Foundation, 191 Waukegan Road, Suite 105, Northfield, IL 60093 would be appreciated. For Guest Book, please visit www.bellowsfuneralchapel.com. Arrangements were entrusted with Bellows Funeral Chapel, 160 River Road, Lincoln, RI.

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