InternationalKevork Hovnanian, builder and philanthropist, dies at 86 (updated)
Published: Friday September 25, 2009
Kevork Hovnanian.
New York - Kevork Hovnanian, the chairperson of the Fund for Armenian Relief and founder of Hovnanian Enterprises, one of the largest home builders in the United States, died on Thursday, September 24, of natural causes, his family confirmed.
"He was one of the great men of his generation; a giant not only in Armenian affairs, but in the worlds of industry, international commerce, and philanthropy," said Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern).
Mr. Hovnanian immigrated to the United States from Iraq in 1959 and founded a fledgling home-building company with a $20,000 loan. His company, Hovnanian Enterprises, now operates in 18 states. He served as president of the firm until 1988 and as chief executive for another nine years. His son Ara Hovnanian succeeded him and continues to serve in the post.
A committed and prominent member of the Armenian community, Kevork Hovnanian was the principal benefactor of the St. Stepanos Armenian Church in Elberon, New Jersey, and of the Gevorkian Theological Seminary in Holy Etchmiadzin.
Archbishop Barsamian praised "his bold, imaginative leadership," coupled with "great faith and piety." Under Mr. Hovnanian's leadership, the Fund for Armenian Relief has dispatched more than $260 million worth of humanitarian and technical assistance for the recovery and development of Armenia since the 1988 earthquake.
Mr. Hovnanian was awarded the St. Gregory the Illuminator Medal, the highest honor bestowed by the Armenian Church, by Vasken I, the late Catholicos of All Armenians.
Mr. Hovnanian donated a $1.5 million Manhattan townhouse to the Permanent Mission of Armenia to the United Nations. In May 2001, President Robert Kocharian of Armenia awarded him the St. Mesrob Mashtots Medal in recognition of his services to Armenia.
He was also a board member of the Armenian Church Endowment Fund (of the Eastern Diocese in the United States).
His philanthropy extended beyond Armenia and the Armenian-American community. The K. Hovnanian Children's Hospital is the first state-designated children's hospital in New Jersey's Monmouth and Ocean counties. It offers a full spectrum of pediatric specialties to the area, including a child-centered trauma unit. Mr. Hovnanian and his wife, Sirwart (Emily) Hovnanian, were honored at the hospital in 2006. Their gift was the largest the hospital had received in its 101-year history.
Mr. Hovnanian is survived by his wife of over 60 years, five children, and 13 grandchildren.
A private funeral is planned in New Jersey. A public memorial service will be held on Saturday, October 3, at Saint Vartan Cathedral, 630 Second Avenue, New York, N.Y. It is tentatively scheduled for 11 a.m.
The family suggests donations in lieu of flowers to the Fund for Armenian Relief, 630 Second Avenue, New York, N.Y. 10016-4806, or Saint Stepanos Armenian Church Endowment Trust Fund, 1184 Ocean Avenue, Elberon, N.J. 07740.
