Prominent Armenian businessman, real estate developer and philanthropist Vahak Hovnanian dies at 83
31.08.2015,
18:12
A prominent Armenian businessman, real estate developer and philanthropist, president of the National Golf Association of Armenia Vahak Hovnanian died on Monday at the age of 83.
YEREVAN, August 31. / ARKA /. A prominent Armenian businessman, real estate developer and philanthropist, president of the National Golf Association of Armenia Vahak Hovnanian died on Monday at the age of 83. This information was confirmed by the secretary general and head coach of the National Golf Association of Armenia Karen Hovanesyan. According to reports, Mr. Hovnanian died of cancer.
Vahak Stephan Hovnanian was born in Kirkuk, Iraq. He graduated from Baghdad College in 1952 and emigrated to the United States to study at St. Joseph’s University in Philadelphia, Pa. He graduated in 1956 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Physics.
Mr. Hovnanian and his brothers formed the Hovnanian Brothers Corporation in 1959, where he served as Vice President. Together, they developed thousands of homes in New Jersey, until going their respective ways ten years later.
Mr. Hovnanian and his wife, Hasmig, shared a deep pride in, and strong commitment to the preservation of their Armenian heritage. Together, they played prominent roles in promoting the educational, religious and cultural needs of the Armenian community in the Northeastern United States.
For their efforts, Vahakn and Hasmig were honored in 1969 with a Knighthood in the Order of the Great House of Cilicia, and as a Lady of the Great House of Cilicia, respectively, by His Holiness Khoren I, Catholicos of Cilicia.
In keeping with his commitment to education, Mr. Hovnanian raised hundreds of thousands of dollars in the aftermath of the 1988 earthquake in Armenia which he contributed to His Holiness Vasken I Catholicos of All Armenians to build a new school in the earthquake zone of Spitak. Since 1992, he and his wife were major benefactors of the Hovnanian School’s sister school in Armenia, the Anania Shirakatsy Tchemaran in Nork Massif.
Throughout the years, Mr. Hovnanian was a generous supporter of numerous community and educational endeavors. Mr. Hovnanian received numerous awards throughout his career, which serve to highlight his commitment to the Armenian community.-0-
Vahak Stephan Hovnanian was born in Kirkuk, Iraq. He graduated from Baghdad College in 1952 and emigrated to the United States to study at St. Joseph’s University in Philadelphia, Pa. He graduated in 1956 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Physics.
Mr. Hovnanian and his brothers formed the Hovnanian Brothers Corporation in 1959, where he served as Vice President. Together, they developed thousands of homes in New Jersey, until going their respective ways ten years later.
Mr. Hovnanian and his wife, Hasmig, shared a deep pride in, and strong commitment to the preservation of their Armenian heritage. Together, they played prominent roles in promoting the educational, religious and cultural needs of the Armenian community in the Northeastern United States.
For their efforts, Vahakn and Hasmig were honored in 1969 with a Knighthood in the Order of the Great House of Cilicia, and as a Lady of the Great House of Cilicia, respectively, by His Holiness Khoren I, Catholicos of Cilicia.
In keeping with his commitment to education, Mr. Hovnanian raised hundreds of thousands of dollars in the aftermath of the 1988 earthquake in Armenia which he contributed to His Holiness Vasken I Catholicos of All Armenians to build a new school in the earthquake zone of Spitak. Since 1992, he and his wife were major benefactors of the Hovnanian School’s sister school in Armenia, the Anania Shirakatsy Tchemaran in Nork Massif.
Throughout the years, Mr. Hovnanian was a generous supporter of numerous community and educational endeavors. Mr. Hovnanian received numerous awards throughout his career, which serve to highlight his commitment to the Armenian community.-0-
