BELMONT, Mass. — “Supporting my community to succeed is the main motivation of my life,” stated entrepreneur Kevork Atinizian, who celebrated his 70th birthday among family members and friends here on Sunday, January 29.
Born and raised in Dikranagerd, Atinizian came to the United States in 1980 from Istanbul, where he and his brother, Nishan, owned and operated a metal and enamel factory employing more than 200 people. Two years later, in 1982, the brothers purchased the Fresh Pond Mall Shopping Center in Cambridge and delved into real estate. Since then, they have developed businesses in the United States and Armenia. Among businesses in Armenia in which they are partners, is the Armenia Marriott Hotel in Yerevan, which opened in 2004.
In 1988, Atinizian married Jacqueline Kerimian. The Atinizians have three children: Nigoghos, Ari and Lori and three grandchildren, Kevork, Antranik and Haig.
Atinizian is devoted to supporting Armenian education because he believes in perpetuating the Armenian culture and language. Since childhood, he has also been dedicated to the Armenian Church, contributing his time, talents and financial resources.
Kevork and Jacqueline Atinizian are active members and supporters of Holy Trinity Armenian Church in Cambridge, having established a Holy Trinity Trust Fund in their name. They have also supported causes both locally, nationally and internationally, including the Fund For Armenian Relief (FAR), the Patriarchate of Constantinople, Our Savior Armenian Hospital of Istanbul, Habitat for Humanity in Armenia, the Armenian Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Jamaica Plain, Armenian day schools in the Greater Boston area, the Armenian Mirror-Spectator and the United Nations’ Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and many other organizations. They are also members of the Armenian Assembly of America.
In 1998, the late Catholicos of All Armenians, Karekin I, bestowed the highest order of the Armenian Church, the St. Gregory the Illuminator Medal and the Pontifical Encyclical, upon the couple.
