The Eastern Diocese was deeply saddened by the passing of Hirair Hovnanian, who passed away on April 9, 2021, at the age of 91.
Philanthropist, businessman, civic leader, and longtime chair of the Armenian Assembly Board of Trustees, Hirair Hovnanian was part a remarkable family, whose members migrated from Iraq to the United States, found great success in American society, and took up influential, visionary roles in the Armenian community.
As leader of an innovative building and housing development company, Hirair became deeply involved in the American public sphere—always with an eye to advancing the cause of his fellow Armenians. He was a founding benefactor of the Armenian Assembly of America, and during his long tenure as board chairman Hirair Hovnanian became almost synonymous with the advocacy organization. He took a special interest in the Assembly’s summer internship program, and encouraged several decades’ worth of promising Armenian students from around the country to more deeply embrace their heritage.
The independence of Armenia fired Hirair’s imagination, and he devoted the latter decades of his life, and his great energy, to the growth and development of the republic. So great was his devotion that Hirair Hovnanian resettled in Armenia, to share in the daily life of his homeland. It was there that he was buried, on April 10.
“He was a man of great generosity, and even greater enthusiasm for all things Armenian: an admirable quality he shared with his brothers and sisters,” said Diocesan Primate Bishop Daniel. “Hirair Hovnanian had a profound influence on Armenian life in both America and Armenia. One could hardly conceive of the Armenian Assembly or the Armenian National Institute without his vision and support. The latter part of his life, when he settled in Armenia, was in every way a return ‘home’ for Hirair, to where his heart had always resided.”
Hirair and his wife Anna (who passed away in 2018) were a devoted couple, whose leadership advanced Armenian causes, and whose benevolence strengthened Armenian institutions—including the Armenian Church. Together they raised a fine family, and touched the lives of countless people. The Hovnanians are survived by their five children and five grandchildren, to whom our prayers of consolation go today.
May our Lord enlighten the soul of Hirair Hovnanian, and remember him in His kingdom.