ROBERT MIRAK

1933 - 2025

MIRAK, Robert Age 92, passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by his loved ones, on July 17th. Bob was born in 1933, the first son of Artemis and John Mirak, both orphans who had survived the Armenian genocide. Growing up with his younger brother, Charles, in Boston and Winchester during the Depression; he learned to be frugal, disciplined, and studious, and to find joy in books, play, and sports. Golf would become a lifelong passion. Bob excelled at school, made friends easily, was loyal, kind, fair, and considerate-traits that characterized him all his life. A born educator, he helped his sister learn to read, and he later guided and inspired his daughters and grandchildren along their journeys through school and college. He became first an outstanding scholar, later, a successful businessman. A graduate of Williams College, Oxford University and the University of Minnesota, he earned his doctorate at Harvard. His dissertation was published by Harvard University Press in 1983 as "Torn Between Two Lands: Armenians in America, 1890 to World War I". Considered a milestone in Armenian studies, it has become a standard reference for scholars. Bob was an adjunct professor at Boston University, until he left his academic career to take responsibility for the family businesses-automobile dealerships and real estate. In 1961, he married Alice Kanlian, a person of striking beauty, grace, and sharp intellect, a true soul mate. Alice passed away in 2000, and is dearly missed by all who knew her. Bob was politically acute and open-minded, a talented writer and speaker. His partners and employees describe him as fair, dedicated, generous with his time and his collaboration--an educator even at the office. They felt they worked with him, not for him. Though a successful businessman, in fact, he never really left academic life nor forgot his Armenian heritage. In 1997, he assumed leadership of The Armenian Cultural Foundation in Arlington, his father's pride and joy. Together, with his daughters, he continued his father's generous support of social, educational, medical, and agricultural projects in Armenia and Arlington. Bob is survived by his loving partner, Houry Youssoufian; brother Edward and wife Susan; sister Muriel and husband Michael Weissbach; daughters, Julia Mirak Kew and husband David Brewster, and Jennifer Mirak Leach and husband Daylin Leach; and grandchildren, Alexandra and Christina Kew, Brennan Alice and Justin Leach. Visiting Hours: Visitation from 5-8 pm Tuesday, July 22nd. Funeral Service at 11 am Wednesday, July 23rd, both at St. James Armenian Church, 465 Mt. Auburn Street, Watertown. Burial at Mount Auburn Cemetery, followed by a reception at The Armenian Cultural Foundation, 441 Mystic Street, Arlington. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. James Church and The Armenia Tree Project (www.armeniatree.org).

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