Obituary of Setrak O. Agonian

Prayer Service will be held 8:00 pm on Sunday, August 10, 2014 at St. Illuminator's Armenian Apostolic Church, 221 East 27th Street, New York, NY. Funeral Service will be held 10 am on Monday, August 11, 2014 at St. Illuminator's Armenian Apostolic Church, 221 East 27th Street, New York, NY. Burial will be in Cedar Grove Cemetery, Flushing, NY on Monday, August 11. Visitation will be Sunday, August 10 from 3-5PM and 7-9PM at St. Illuminator's Armenian Apostolic Church, 221 East 27th Street, New York, NY. Biography Setrak O. Agonian Born in Sofia, Bulgaria Married to Euradi Agonian Only child of engineer Onnik Agonian and his wife Adriana, survivors of the 1915 Armenian Genocide. Following the death of his father during World War II Setrak displayed artistic talent at a very early age and was encouraged by his mother, who became a widow when he was only five. Although he was of only 30 out of 800 pupils to have been accepted at art school, he couldn’t pursue this field owing to the need to support his family. He began working at age twelve and a half as a blacksmith’s apprentice to support his widowed mother. Being a strong lad who could think on his feet as well, he developed into a formidable boxer, becoming national boxing champion, as well as a wrestling coach. In 1966, accompanying his sick mother, thanks to ANCHA, he emigrated to the United States, with only $6 in his pocket and not knowing one word of English. With the help of St. Illuminators Armenian Church, volunteers of ANCHA, he settled in Woodside, Queens where he is living until today. EDUCATION Physical Education College, Sofia, Bulgaria (VIF) Machine Engineer Graduated MIT Sofia School of New York Interior Decoration His life in America has truly been the realization of every poor immigrant’s dream of making good. EMPLOYEMENT HISTORY Since 1967 he was employed by a few companies as a machinist and fabricator until 1973. Setrak saved enough to start his own metal business named International Creative Metal Inc. in Woodside, NY. His company’s designs, ornamental architectural metal works, and sculptures can be found in all parts of the world. One wishing to examine his work locally may visit the lobby and fountain of the New York Hilton Hotel and the elevator doors of the Manhattan Plaza Hotel, as well as the flagpoles, handrails and display windows of Rockefeller Center and the McGraw Hill building, bronze ornamentals handrails of the Mark Hotel at Madison Avenue, restoration of bronze ornamentals railings, heater covers, grilles, door and ceilings of New Amsterdam Theater at 42nd Street, Christopher Columbus Monument at New Hyde Park-City Hall, and in 1997 Craftsmanship Award-winner was presented to him by the Washington Building Congress, Inc., for the Renovation of the Memorial Amphitheater at Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, VA, New York City Grand Central renovation, fabrication and installation of Bronze Ticket Booth windows, United Nation fence and automatic opening gates, and in 2007 Winning the gold medal Top job award for a set of 18’ high bronze doors which adorn the Edmond J. Safra Synagogue in New York City by competing with 1,000 companies and 60 countries. In 2009 he also won another gold medal from NOMMA for the bronze doors of the New York St. Vartan Cathedral who’s sculpted artwork portrays Queen Ashkhen, who preceded her husband in embracing Christianity, and helped spread the new faith throughout Armenia. Many Armenian Churches and Synagogues from Crosses to the altar artistic metal fabrications, torahs, and bimah. Specialty bronze plaques, etc. Professional Awards  1997 – Craftsmanship Award from the Washington Building Congress for the renovations of the Arlington National Cemetery Amphitheater  1998-2000 – Rockefeller Center Millennium Restoration  2005 – Landmark Restoration Award from the Friends of Upper East Side Historical Society for the Church of St. Ignatius Loyola .  2007 – Ernest Wiermann Top Job Award Gold Medalist from the National Ornamental and Miscellaneous Metals Association for the Bronze entrance doors For Edmond Safra Synagogue 63rd Street between Park and Madison .  2010 – Ernest Wiermann Top Job Award Gold Medalist from the National Ornamental and Miscellaneous Metals Association for the Bronze entrance doors St. Vartan Cathedral Woodside Kiwanis Club  Member of the Board of Directors for over 35 years  President (1987-88)  Past Vice-President (1985-86)  Distinguished Service and Outstanding Leadership Multiple Project Award winner for the New York State District (1988)  Man of the Year (1988) SELECTED ACCOMPLISHMENTS ACTIVITIES AND ACHIEVEMENTS • After having only live in the United States for 4 years, served as assistant team leader and interpreter for the 1971 US World Team at World Championships of Freestyle Wrestling in Sofia, Bulgaria, his birthplace. • 1972 Olympic Games in Munich assisted US Olympic Freestyle Wrestling Team Coach William Farrell. Primary responsibility was the care of the families of the Olympians attending the game. • In 1973 founded ARAX Armenian Soccer Club in New York and made them champion in 1974 National League. • Served as Team Leader or administrator for the United States on several other occasions, including 1974 (World Championships in Turkey), 1975 (Jr. World Championships, Bulgaria), 1976 (assistant to president of the Wrestling Federation at the Olympic Games in Montreal), 1977 (Jr. World Championships, Las Vegas, NV), 1979 (World Championships, San Diego, CA). • Founded Metropolitan Wrestling Association in 1984. Successfully lead the organization in the management of a number of International Dual meets featuring the United States vs. Russia, Bulgaria, and Armenia. In 1985, the USA wrestleted the Soviet Union at Madison Square Garden, marking the first competition between the two super powers since the Soviets boycotted the 1984 Olympics. This event also counted wrestling with the corporate world through the sponsorship of “Benihana” Restaurants, and Fortune 500 Company. The 1988 event was run in conjunction with the Woodside Kiwanis Club for which he was president as a pair of Nancy Reagan’s National campaign “Just say no to Drugs”. • Established the first boxing match between the Police Departments of New York City and the Moscow Police Department in 1987. • Represented United States on the marketing Committee for FILA (International Wrestling Federation) beginning in 1987. • In 1990, prior to the breakup of the Soviet Union, convinced the Soviet Government to allow a team representing the republic of Armenia to come to the United States for dual meets at New York University and in Boston. Armenian flag was displayed for the first time in the US at this event. Subsequently, elected as a founding member of the Armenian Olympic Committee. • When the former Russian province of Armenia was admitted as a sovereign nation in the United Nations, Set himself had the great privilege of donating the Armenian flag which was raised during the ceremony welcoming Armenia in 1990 in New York. • Brought NYC Police Department boxing team to Sofia Bulgaria in 1992 for a dual meet with the Sofia Police, under the sponsorship of AT&T who also established business with Bulgaria PTT... • As Vice President of the Armenian Olympic Committee, came up with the idea of having Armenian NOC to compete for the first time in the 1994 Winter Olympic Games in Lillehammer on which two Armenian Americans compete in the Bobsled and one Skier from Armenia were qualified to represent Armenia. • In 1998 Goodwill Games in New York wrestling was not included but Setrak successfully pestered the Goodwill Games people to the point that they reconsidered and brought wrestling back into the 1998 Goodwill Games at Madison Square Garden’s Felt Forum and it was one of the most attended event in the games. • Successfully partnered with NYC2012 to win the Bid to conduct the 2001 World Championships of Wrestling to Madison Square Garden. (Unfortunately, the championships, scheduled for September 23, 2001 were postponed and moved due to the tragedy of September 11 in New York). • Successfully led the negotiations with the Slovakian Wrestling Federation to move the 2003 Freestyle World Championships (which had previously been awarded to Slovakia) to New York. • As the President of the MWA he welcomed all the team delegations from all over the world and read a welcome message from the President of the United States at the opening ceremony for the 2003 World Championships at Madison Square Garden which culminated with a tremendous success. In addition to the outstanding wrestling, many other major activities were held, including the Evening with Legends dinner at New York Athletic Club honoring the secretary of defense and speaker of the house, as well as the first induction of the FILA International Wrestling Hall of Fame. On center mat of Madison Square Garden prior to the finals of the competition, Agonian was awarded the FILA Gold Star, the highest honor awarded by the international wrestling federation. Agonian’s involvement with the World Championships was part of many years of leadership that he provided within the American wrestling community and within USA Wrestling. • In 2003 Setrak Agonian was named 2003 USA Wrestling Man of the Year • 2003 Setrak was selected by USOC to attend the 80th Anniversary of Bulgarian Olympic Committee in Sofia representing USA. • 2004 during his administration, MWA started the Beat the Streets Program. • 2005 during his administration, MWA started the Beach Wrestling • 2005 Setrak Agonian in association with the New York City’s Sports Commission founded and organized the first annual NYC Mayor’s Cup Wrestling Championship. • 2006 Mayor’s Cup High School Wrestling Championship, the winning school was presented with the Setrak Agonian Trophy, which will remain the tournaments highest award. • 2006 represents USOC as International Relations Advisor and welcomes many NOC and delegation at New York City at New York Athletic Club. • 2006 as Director of Recognition for the New York Amateur Sports Alliance, Setrak Agonian founded and organized the first Hero Award Recognition at the New York Athletic Club’s Hall of Fame. Armenian Olympic Committee  Founder & Past Vice President  Organizer and Team Leader 1994 Winter Olympics European Olympic Committee  Represented Republic of Armenia  Marketing Commission  “New Ways of Communication” Committee FILA (International Federation of Associated Wrestling Styles)  Member of the Marketing Commission (from USA) (1987) USA Wrestling  Member of the Board of Directors representing Allied Member (MWA)  Man of the Year (2003) Metropolitan Wrestling Association  Founder and President (1984-2006)  NYC Sports Commission Annual Majors Cup Wrestling Championship award is named “Setrak Agonian’s Award” National Wrestling Hall of Fame  Outstanding American Award in 2007 United States Olympic Committee  International Relation Committee Advisor (2004-2007) United States Marine Corps (2007)  Honorary New York City Marine New York Athletic Club  Life Member  Member of Wrestling Committee  Member of American Legion  Member of Boxing Club Committee  Member of Fitness Center  Member of Shooting Club (Champion 2005 and 2006)  Member of Backgammon (Champion 1997)  Member of Engineering Committee  Member of Quarter Century Club New York Amateur Sports Alliance  Director of Recognitions Homenetmen of New York • Honorary Member on October 14, 2006 St. Illuminators Armenian Cathedral • Member of Board of Directors • Chairman of the Renovation • Awarded as “Eagle of the Prelacy” on September 20, 2009 The Power Memorial Academy Alumni Association • Honorary Alumnus on October 22, 2010 “NECO” National Ethnic Coalition of Organizations Ellis Island Medal of Honor on May 7. 2011