HARTFORD, CONN.- Richard Ernest Aranosian, successful businessman and much-loved husband, father, and grandfather, died in Hartford Conn., on March 1 at the age of 84.
Richard was born in Concord, N.H., on September 8, 1936, the oldest son of Ernest and Narissa Aranosian. While at Concord High School, Richard excelled at football, track and drama, and he also sang in the choir at St Paul’s Episcopal church. He graduated in 1959 from the University of New Hampshire with a B.A. in Business Administration. Following ROTC training at UNH, he served in the US Armed Forces, achieving the rank of 1st Lieutenant, Quartermaster in the 3rd US Army Missile Command, stationed at Fort Bragg, N.C.
While at Fort Bragg, he met and married Constance “Connie” Aranosian, née Alperin, in 1962. After he left the service, they returned to Concord, N.H., and raised three children. Along with his father and brother, he co-owned Capital City Motors, a Volvo, Fiat and Buick dealership in Concord.
In 1982, he retired from the automobile business and founded CARA Antiques with his wife Connie. CARA Antiques specialized in antique European pottery, particularly English majolica. They relocated to Newtown, Penn., and spent many winters in Naples, Fla. They traveled frequently throughout the United States, participating in numerous major antiques shows. They also traveled to Europe regularly, and had many good friends in the antiques community.
More recently Richard and Connie retired to Glastonbury, Conn. A gregarious and affectionate man throughout his life, Richard was well known for his outgoing personality and his full, unmistakable laugh. In addition to his love of family, Richard greatly enjoyed opera, politics, travel, history, antiques, museums, art, classical music, politics, gardening, painting and singing.
He is survived by his brother Robert Aranosian; his sons Chris Aranosian, his wife Elizabeth Aranosian and grandson Beau Aranosian; Richard Aranosian Jr, his wife Shushanik Atoyan and granddaughter Annabelle Aranosian; his daughter Lisa Hansen; and nieces Betsy Fitzgerald, Susan West, Nancy Forrester, Lynda Maguire and Susan McTague.
He was preceded in death by Connie Aranosian, his beloved wife of 58 years, his sister-in-law Barbara Beatty and brother-in-law Arthur Beatty.
For those wishing to contact the family, email lisa_hansenct@yahoo.com or call 860-918-6538. There will not be a service held at this time. Donations in his memory may be sent to The Salvation Army. For online condolences, visit www.mulryanfh.com.
