St. Francis Alumnus Killed in Afghanistan Friday

Marine Captain Matthew Manoukian, a graduate, died in Afghanistan on Friday, Aug. 10. 

The oldest of three brothers, Manoukian graduated in 2001. A resident of Los Altos, he was the son of Judge Socrates "Pete" Manoukian and Associate Justice Patricia Bamattre-Manoukian, who is a member of SFHS board of directors, the high school said in a press release. His brothers, Michael and Martin, also graduated from St. Francis in 2003 and 2009, respectively. The elder Manoukian graduated from .

"Our thoughts and prayers are with the Manoukian family. This is a devastating loss,” said Kevin Makley, president of SFHS. “Matt was a popular student-athlete and a strong leader. He was also an active member of our Alumni Association and frequently attended football games and other special events. His dedication to our country and the conviction with which served the Marines make him an inspiration to us all. Our entire Saint Francis community will profoundly miss him."

In a blogpost, a friend of the family Robin Chapman explained that the father had survived the genocide of the Armenian war and arrived in the United States as a one-year-old. She elaborated on the elder Manoukian, saying he had also hoped to join the Marines, but for medical reasons couldn't. His son did, and now has died, for the country that had given them so much.

"When Matthew was deployed overseas, everyone who loved the Manoukians—and that's a lot of people—worried with them, about their boy. And last night, the Marines came to the Manoukian's home bringing with them the awful news."

This is the second death associated with St. Francis this summer. In June, died in Oregon after a gunshot wound.

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