Stephen Jirair Hovnanian

STEPHEN (STEVE) JIRAIR HOVNANIAN entered into peaceful rest on Monday, September 15, 2025, after a hard journey with PSP. He left behind a legacy of family devotion, community service, and music that echoed through generations. Steve cherished his wife Nancy, his children and grandchildren, his brother Peter, and his extended family and cousins, who together formed the heart of his world.
Born on May 22, 1951, in Philadelphia, PA, to the late Jirair and Elizabeth Hovnanian, he grew up with his grandparents, parents, aunts, uncles, cousins, and brother all in one home full of Armenian music and food in Philadelphia until he was 12 years old. He and his family moved to South Jersey when he was in middle school to be closer to the family business, J.S. Hovnanian & Sons, where he remained the rest of his life. Stephen graduated from Lenape Regional High School in 1969. He attended college; first at Dayton University, but transferred to Rutgers University Camden to be closer to his sweetheart, Nancy. Graduating from Rutgers with a degree in Business Administration, he went straight into working for his dad, in the company where he worked for 51 years until a week before his passing.
Steve shared his love of music with his cousins and uncles in their family ensemble, the renowned Vosbikian Band. For decades, he lent his voice and his dumbek rhythms to weddings, picnics, and Armenian dances, igniting countless dance floors with joy, celebration, and connection. Beyond the stage, the band's full discography and his voice stands as a lasting record of their artistry and of Steve's devotion to preserving Armenian music for future generations all over the world.
Community was central to his life. At work, he carried forward the vision of his father Jirair as a leader of J.S. Hovnanian & Sons, guiding the company that built thousands of homes across South Jersey and turning neighborhoods into lasting communities. Taking inspiration from his children, Steve was an active supporter of public education, Boy Scouts of America, and the Philadelphia Sinfonia.
In his Armenian community, Steve poured his energy into Holy Trinity Armenian Church in Cheltenham, where he was a lifetime member of their choir, and where he and Nancy were honored with the St. Vartan Award for their tireless dedication. He was instrumental in supporting the Ararat Center in upstate New York, a place where young people could grow in faith, culture, and friendship-something he believed was vital to the future of the Armenian Church.
Survived by his loving wife of 50 years, Nancy; his four beautiful children, Stephan (Lisa), Haig (Pax), Garo (Tamar), and Karinné (Greg); his eight remarkable grandchildren, Ariana, Christina, Sophia, Ella, Annabel, Stepan, Lilit, and Zaven; his brother Peter (Theresa); and countless cousins, nieces and nephews.
To those who knew him, Steve embodied generosity, faith, and strength in every endeavor. His legacy endures in the homes he built, the communities he strengthened, the music he loved, and most of all, the family he treasured.
Visitation will be from 5:00 to 8:00pm, on Thursday, September 18, 2025, at The Bradley Funeral Home, 601 Rt 73 S. (entrance on Evesham Rd), Marlton, NJ 08053. Visitation will also be from 9:30 to 11:00am, on Friday, September 19, 2025, at Holy Trinity Armenian Church, 101 Ashmead Road, Cheltenham, PA 19012. The funeral service will begin at 11:00am, at the church. Burial will follow at Lakeview Memorial Park, Cinnaminson, New Jersey.
Those wishing to honor Steve's legacy may do so through a donation to Holy Trinity Armenian Church or the Ararat Center, in lieu of flowers. Online donations are welcome, or checks may be made payable to Holy Trinity Armenian Church (mailed to 101 Ashmead Road, Cheltenham, PA 19012) or Ararat Center (mailed to Diocese of the Armenian Church, 630 2nd Avenue, New York, NY 10016).