DETROIT — For the past several years, the members of the Michigan-Armenian community shared the agony of Edgar Hagopian, as he battled cancer. He lost his valiant fight against the disease on March 27.
The community was still rocked by the news of the loss, despite knowing that it had been anticipated. As he suffered from excruciating pains, his mind lucid to the end, he was always thinking about this community and extending a hand to someone in need.
Hagopian had won many accolades for his generosity and leadership. The last tribute was paid to him on February 19, at a banquet organized in his honor by the Tekeyan Cultural Association.
Edmond Azadian was the keynote speaker, who presented Michigan-Armenians’ gratitude to the ailing patriarch, who was too weak to attend the banquet.
Said Azadian, in part, “Our annual functions ordinarily do not focus on any single individual. But this year we have made an exception, because we believe the time has come for us to pay tribute to a person who has given so much of himself to the Detroit-Armenian community and he has raised this community’s profile nationally. That person is Edgar Hagopian, a man of foresight and distinction and a legend in his own day.”
He continued, “Edgar has been a political activist, benefactor, humanitarian and cultural icon, accessible to anyone. His greatness is in his humility. He knows how to be on a level with everyone. His generosity is not confined to a particular segment of the community; all segments belong to Edgar and Edgar belongs to the entire community.”
