BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. — H. Kenneth Norian was born on April 15, 1933 in New Jersey and passed away peacefully at home in Beverly Hills on August 25. Born to Siran and Harry Norian, Armenian immigrants whose families came from Aintab, Turkey, Ken was the third of four brothers, and grew up in a close-knit family that remained an important part of his life.
Ken attended Dwight Morrow High School in Englewood, New Jersey, where he distinguished himself as a natural leader, serving as student body president.
He went on to Yale University, where his most significant achievement was serving as business manager of the Yale Daily News, a role that reflected both his leadership abilities and his keen interest in business and communications.
Following Yale, Ken served as a first lieutenant in the United States Army Artillery. After completing his military service, Ken partnered with his brother to establish a real estate development company, where they built custom homes in northern New Jersey.
In 1963, Ken married Cynthia Dickranian, whom he had met at a party in New Jersey. Two years later, the couple moved west to California, where Ken became deeply involved in the business, civic, legal, and Armenian-American communities.
For nineteen years, Ken served as president of Premier Market of Beverly Hills. Under his leadership, he expanded the company’s home-delivery service and wine business in ways that were decades ahead of their time.
