Former AP Photojournalist Harry Koundakjian Dies at 83

NEW YORK — Former Associated Press photographer and photo editor Harry Koundakjian who spent years covering the Middle East before working in New York City, has died. He was 83.

Koundakjian died Monday at a Manhattan hospital, from complications of open heart surgery he had in February, his daughter, Lola Koundakjian, said.

Koundakjian was born in Syria and finished high school in Lebanon. He began work there for The Associated Press in the 1960s, first as a freelancer and then as a staffer in 1969.

He photographed news events throughout the Middle East and Europe, including war in Lebanon, the Olympics in Germany, and the 1978 wedding of King Hussein of Jordan to his fourth wife, Queen Noor.

In 1979, he and his family moved to New York City, where he was a photo editor for the AP until his retirement in 2006.

Koundakjian’s career was his life and his colleagues became close family friends, his daughter said.

“He brought his career home in a positive way,” she said.

Survivors also include his wife and a son.

Lola Koundakjian said a celebration of her father’s life and a funeral are being planned.