Armenian-American philanthropist Hirair Hovnanian, the founding benefactor of the Armenian Assembly of America and member of the Board of Trustees of ‘Hayastan’ All-Armenian Fund, passed away at the age of 91.
Hirair Hovnanian is the brother of businessmen, public figures, philanthropists Vahagn and Zhirair Hovnanians.
In 1958, Hirair Hovnanian began his career with a consulting firm constructing the Connecticut Turnpike. He was the president of ‘Hovnanian Industries’ Company, the owner of a large house-building company. He is one of the founders of the Armenian Assembly of America, a member of the Board of Trustees of the ‘Hayastan’ All-Armenian Fund (since 1992). In 1996, he founded the ‘ANI’ institution in Washington, dealing with the issues of international recognition of the Armenian Genocide.