Gerard Cafesjian facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Gerard Cafesjian
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Cafesjian in Yerevan in November 2009
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| Born | April 26, 1925 Brooklyn, New York, United States
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| Died | September 15, 2013 (aged 88) |
| Occupation | Founder of the Cafesjian Family Foundation |
Gerard Leon Cafesjian (Armenian: Ջերարդ Լեւոն Գաֆէսճեան, born April 26, 1925 – died September 15, 2013) was a successful American businessman and a generous helper of others, known as a philanthropist. He created several important organizations, including the Cafesjian Family Foundation and the famous Cafesjian Center for the Arts in Armenia.
Contents
Gerard Cafesjian's Early Life and Military Service
Growing Up and Serving His Country
Gerard Cafesjian was born on April 26, 1925. His hometown was Bensonhurst, a neighborhood in Brooklyn, New York. His parents had moved to the United States before the Armenian genocide, a terrible event where many Armenians were killed by the Turks.
Serving in World War II
During World War II, Gerard Cafesjian joined the Navy. He served on two ships. One was the USS Oceanographer, which used to be a fancy yacht. This ship helped map out areas around Guadalcanal and other Solomon Islands in 1943 and 1944.
He also served on the USS Andres, a destroyer escort. This ship protected convoys (groups of ships) traveling from the United States to North Africa in 1944 and 1945. After the war, he married Cleo Thomas, a nurse he had met.
Education and Early Career
Gerard Cafesjian was a very dedicated student. He earned a degree in economics from Cornell University. Then, he got a law degree from Columbia Law School. He finished both degrees in just five and a half years. He was also a member of the New York State Bar Association.
He started his career as a legal editor at a company called West Publishing in New York City. He was the first employee in the company's 100-year history to move to their main offices in St. Paul, Minnesota.
At West Publishing, he moved up quickly. He became an executive vice president. In this role, he managed sales, marketing, customer service, and public relations. He also started the West Legal Directory and a special program called "Art and the Law." These projects earned him and West Publishing many awards.
Giving Back: Gerard Cafesjian's Philanthropy
Helping Armenia
Gerard Cafesjian retired from West Publishing in 1996. He felt it was his purpose to help Armenia. This country had recently become independent after many years of being ruled by others. He believed he could make a real difference there.
He started the Cafesjian Family Foundation (CFF). Through this foundation, he gave over $128 million to various projects in Armenia. He invested in TV stations, financial services, real estate, and a renewable energy company. Any money earned from these investments was put back into Armenia to help it grow.
Projects in the United States
Cafesjian also supported projects in the United States. He helped restore a historic carousel for Como Park in St. Paul, Minnesota. He also founded the Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art in Arizona.
He gave money to many Armenian-American organizations. These included the Armenia Fund USA and the Armenian Assembly of America. He also owned The Armenian Reporter, which is the oldest independent Armenian-American newspaper.
Awards and Recognition
Gerard Cafesjian received many honors for his work. He was given the Ellis Island Medal of Honor in 2000. He also received the COAF Save a Generation Award in 2010.
The Cafesjian Center for the Arts
One of his biggest projects was the Cafesjian Center for the Arts in downtown Yerevan, Armenia. In the early 2000s, this site was an unfinished, crumbling building from the Soviet era. Cafesjian completely rebuilt and renovated it.
The Center for the Arts officially opened in 2009. It features a beautiful sculpture garden with works by famous artists. More than one million people have visited the Center since it opened.
Armenian Genocide Museum and Memorial
From 2000 to 2003, Cafesjian worked on another important project. He bought properties in Washington, D.C., near the White House. His goal was to build an Armenian Genocide Museum and Memorial there.
However, this project has faced legal challenges. Even though Cafesjian won a major lawsuit in 2011, the project is still waiting for final court decisions.
Gerard Cafesjian's Personal Life
Gerard Cafesjian married Cleo Thomas on July 4, 1947. They had three children together. Gerard's oldest son, Tommy Cafesjian, became a successful real estate businessman.
Gerard Cafesjian passed away on September 15, 2013, at the age of 88. His wife, Cleo, had passed away just a few months earlier, on March 7, 2013.
See also
- Cafesjian Museum of Art
