Article Number : 2341 |
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| Date | 8/24/2007 8:39:25 AM |
| Written By | LGM & Associates Technical Flooring Services |
| View this article at: | //floorbiz.com/BizResources/NPViewArticle.asp?ArticleID=2341 |
| Abstract | Spokane, Wash.—Mickey (Megr) S. Kirishian was not only born to be in the flooring industry, he spent his entire life in it. Floor Covering News learned from his family that after a 41/2-year battle with lung cancer, he passed away at the age of 72 on April 16... |
| Article | Spokane, Wash.—Mickey (Megr) S. Kirishian was not only born to be in the flooring industry, he spent his entire life in it. Floor Covering News learned from his family that after a 41/2-year battle with lung cancer, he passed away at the age of 72 on April 16. He was a hard charger and difficult to keep up with, said his wife, Karen, but more importantly, he was a master in design, color, quality and always a true perfectionist. Born on Nov. 14, 1934, in Fresno, Calif., Kirishian was destined to be in the flooring industry and, more specifically, Oriental rugs. The Kirishian family has been in the floor covering industry for some 200 years, including 84 years in Spokane. His grandfather even owned a large rug making operation in Sivas, Armenia, until 1917. Kirishians flooring career started during his childhood when he worked at his fathers Oriental rug business, Kirishian Bros. He took a leave from the family business when he enlisted in the U.S. Naval Air Special Forces and did several tours during the Korean War. He received an honorable discharge with two Purple Hearts in 1957. In 1985, he and Karen founded Kirishians Floor Center, where he expanded his familys Oriental rug heritage by offering a full line of hard and soft surface floor coverings, including, of course, handmade Orientals. In addition, the business does fine cleaning and restoration services along with carpet and upholstery cleaning. He taught his employees to respect the fine things people brought for cleaning as he had an in- depth knowledge of what they were, where they came from and how old they were, Karen recalled. His knowledge of the Oriental rug business was immense. He was one of the few people left in the U.S. who held double certifications in Oriental rugs from the Oriental Rug Retailers Association (ORRA) and the IORA. Over the years, he became known as a floor covering expert throughout the Pacific Northwest region. His reputation as a perfectionist and master tradesman can be seen in elegant homes, fine dining establishments and resorts throughout the Spokane, Coeur dAlene and Priest Lake areas of Washington and Idaho. Outside of flooring, Kirishian was an accomplished horseman, excellent snowmobile rider and history enthusiast. He was the leader of the Spokane Search and Rescue Team and past president of the Winter Knights Snow-mobile Club. He is survived by his wife of 27 years, Karen; daughters Michelle (Marty) McCammond and Monica (Tiger) Peone; son, Sarkis (Lisa); six grandchildrenMelissa, Amanda, Devon, Alyxandria, Jase and Elise, and sister Jeanette. Memorials are suggested to Morning Star Boys Ranch Foundation, P.O. Box 8087, Spokane, Wash. 99203. |