Armenian businessman Edgar Hagopian dies at 80

PanARMENIAN.Net - Edgar Hagopian, a successful businessman and one of the leading figures in the Armenian community, died Sunday, March 27, 2011, after a long battle with cancer. He was 80.

Mr. Hagopian was born in Detroit in 1930, where he grew up and began working in his father’s laboratory while a teen. He attended Cass Tech High School in Detroit, a fact that he was extremely proud of, often commenting on the excellence of the curriculum. After graduating in 1948 he attended the University of Michigan, majoring in chemistry until being drafted into the army during the Korean War.

Upon returning to the family business, he became instrumental in creating a Michigan business success story. Under his leadership, Hagopian World of Rugs and Cleaning Services quadrupled in size and currently employs over 150 people. His name has long been associated with carpet cleaning and fine Oriental rugs. His company’s purple cleaning trucks can be seen throughout metro Detroit. Hagopian celebrated 72 years in business since opening in 1939.

Mr. Hagopian always practiced an “open door” policy with his employees and was affectionately known company-wide as “Mr. H.” He was looked upon as a mentor and father figure to many. His two daughters, son and son-in-law continue the “Family” part of this family business running his companies to his exacting standards and carrying on his ideals to give back to the community that has helped their Metro Detroit-based business grow.

He was involved in numerous charitable organizations and his philanthropic efforts in the local community were well known. Hagopian companies donate more than $70,000 in goods and services to local charities annually. Dedicated to community involvement, he was a major benefactor to the Detroit Institute of the Arts where he worked with the DIA Founders Society to raise money to support the local arts and was a strong supporter of Detroit Public TV.

Mr. Hagopian has been recognized by the Oak Park Business & Education Alliance for his contributions to the educational community, was named an Honorary Director of the Detroit Institute of Arts and had served as a member of the Providence Health Foundation as well as Seeds of Peace, and international organization dedicated to raising a new generation of world citizens that can get along better.

Mr. Hagopian actively advocated public involvement in the political process from the community to the federal government level. His reputation was such that civic leaders called on him for help In 2002 he spearheaded the passing of the Michigan Public Act 558 recognizing the Armenian Genocide.

In 2006, through the Hagopian Family Foundation, he initiated the Facing History and Ourselves project promoting awareness of the Armenian Genocide, the first genocide of the 20th century. Educator workshops are held annually to provide a basis for more in-depth study of the Armenian Genocide, offering instructional materials for classroom work, teaching resources and continuing education credits for participants.

That same year he began planning “Armenia Fest,” an event designed to showcase the rich Armenian culture and heritage. The event was held in the city of Birmingham in August 2007 and was a huge success attended by more than 2,000 people. The tradition will continue in 2011 in his memory with the fourth annual metro Detroit Armenia Fest. Proceeds from the Fest are designated for Armenia Fund USA and to date more than $25,000 has been raised to help humanitarian projects in Armenia.

Mr. Hagopian was also inducted into the Detroit International Institute Hall of Fame in 2002 honoring his commitment to community and ethnicity. In 2005, Mr. Hagopian was awarded The Ellis Island Medal of Honor recognizing his dedication to community service; his mission to preserve and celebrate the history, traditions and values of his ancestry group; his dedication to support and defend the values of American life; for building bridges between ethnic, racial, and religious groups in the U.S. and/or abroad.

He is survived by his wife, Sarah, of 54 years; sisters, Mary and Ilene; brother, Steve; children Suzanne, Edmond and Angela; and his three grandsons, Alexander, Adam and Nicholas, hometownlife.com reported.