InternationalJohn Krikorian thanks his lifesavers
Published: Monday December 12, 2011
John Krikorian beginning his acceptance speech. Courtesy image
Glendale, Calif. - As trite a cliche as this might seem, sometimes it pays to be in the right place at the right time.
Business Life publisher John Krikorian has two very good reasons to thank the Glendale Fire Department.
One for accepting a community service award for the good journalism he has provided to his West Coast readership over the past two decades.
And, too, for saving his life last October during an acceptance speech at the podium following a heart attack.
Krikorian showed up with his wife Elsie and other members of his family for an honor he richly deserved. He was being showcased under the theme "Service Above Self" during an awards luncheon at the Glendale Hilton.
Moments after accepting his award, Krikorian suffered a seizure and crumbled to the stage floor, much to the groans of a stunned audience.
Firefighters and paramedics on hand immediately rushed to perform CPR. Had it been another type of venue, the outcome could have been fatal.
He was transported to Glendale Adventist where doctors and nurses treated him in the cardiac catheterization lab, which specializes in heart conditions.
Krikorian remained hospitalized for three weeks and indicated he didn't have a memory of his collapse and the days that followed.
His surgeon, Thahn Ngun, discovered Krikorian had a blockage in his heart, along with an irregular heartbeat -- the combination of which led to his heart attack.
A stent and defibrillator were placed inside his chest to help jump-start his heart should he encounter any future struggles.
The Krikorians, well known throughout the Armenian community of America, decided to return the favor and served up a lunch for Glendale firefighters and paramedics from three stations, thanking them for saving his life.
His grandchildren were on hand reading huge "thank you" cards prepared by the family. Sharing center stage was 14-year-old Seran Krikorian. The Glendale News Press prepared a photo gallery of the event, showing a smiley Krikorian.
He now appears fully functional and back to work on his magazine. Despite being in his upper 70s, Krikorian shows no sign of cutting back, joined in the business by his wife and son Gregory, making it more than a mom-and-pop enterprise.
Awards and recognitions are nothing new to Krikorian. He was previously applauded as "Small Business Journalist of the Year" in Los Angeles. The award epitomizes journalists representing print media who report and champion small business issues with concentrated efforts to increase public understanding.
"Now I have two birthdays," he told the Glendale Press. "My birthday on Aug. 24 and my life date on Oct. 12. These firefighters who saved my life are my guardian angels."
Ironically, the date happened to coincide with Columbus Day when America was discovered.
You may know Krikorian through his seven children or his 22 grandchildren --- all with Armenian names. Or you may recognize him from his days with The Hartford (Conn.) Courant back a generation ago when he spurred the advertising department to uncharted heights.
Krikorian was the "go-to" guy whenever it came to securing an ad. Business Life enjoys a wide circulation and is distributed complimentary. Any money that comes out of it is raised through advertising.
A consummate journalist and business professional, he writes and edits. He publishes and circulates. He pays the bills and sweeps the office. The day has no set hours. It's gauged by the workload.
His success is a testament to the innovative spirit of entrepreneurs everywhere and what can be achieved even through these trying economic times.
Krikorian is so thankful at getting a second chance at life, he's e-mailed all his closest friends from coast-to-coast with a photo taken at the luncheon he and Elsie sponsored to thank the firemen who saved his life.
Two words were all that accompanied his message:
"Stay well."
