Ara K Marangosian

In Loving Memory of Ara Krikor Marangosian

July 17, 1934 - July 10, 2025

Ara Krikor Marangosian, a devoted husband, father, grandfather, proud Armenian, and self-made entrepreneur, passed away peacefully at the age of 90 in his home surrounded by his family.

Born in Aleppo, Syria on July 17, 1934, Ara was the son of the late Krikor and Noemie Marangosian. He was preceded in death by his dear brother, Berdj Marangosian, whose spirit lived on in Ara’s heart.

Ara lived a life defined by integrity, resilience, and deep love for his family. He is survived by his beloved wife of 54 years, Carmen Marangosian (née Kondakji), and their two daughters, Sabine Marangosian and Carine Marangosian Spitz. He was a loving father-in-law to Thomas Fitzgerald and Joshua Spitz, and a cherished grandfather (“Baba”) to Luke (9) and Aiden (8) Fitzgerald, and Jillian (15) and Ethan (13) Spitz. His grandchildren were the light of his life, and he had a special way of making each of them feel deeply seen and unconditionally loved.

Ara also leaves behind his brother Hrayr Marangosian (wife Hilda); his nieces, Taline Kfoury Arseneau and Pateel Marangosian Kim; his nephew Berge Marangosian; and a wide circle of family and friends who will miss him dearly.

Ara began his professional journey at Hoechst, a German chemical and pharmaceutical company, where his ambition and intellect quickly stood out. In 1977, in the midst of the Lebanese Civil War, he made the courageous decision to move his young family to New Jersey, where Hoechst was headquartered—seeking a better, safer future for his loved ones. In 1984, driven by vision and grit, Ara founded his own company, Stirling Textiles and Chemicals, which he successfully led until his retirement in March 2007. It was through Stirling that he truly saw the fruits of his labor and solidified his legacy as a respected and self-made businessman.

He was proud to have given himself the middle name Krikor, in honor of his father, and he embraced that identity with distinction—monogramming much of his life with AKM, a quiet nod to family and heritage.

Beyond business, Ara was a man of deep passions. An avid traveler and art collector, a wine connoisseur, a true foodie, and a lifelong learner, he celebrated culture, conversation, and the beauty of living well. He found joy in the details—whether it was a perfect glass of wine, a well-cooked meal, a thoughtfully curated piece of art, or a spirited discussion about history, politics, or the world. He approached life with curiosity, generosity, and a deep appreciation for all it had to offer.

Ara's memory will live on in the values he instilled, the stories he told, and the family he built—strong and proud to call him their own.

A funeral service will be held on Saturday, July 12th at 11:00 a.m. at St. Mary’s Armenian Apostolic Church in Livingston, New Jersey. All who knew and loved Ara are welcome to attend.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations be made to the Parkinson's Foundation (see donation box below) or the Armenian Apostolic Church stmarynj.net