Stephen P. Mugar

Stephen P. Mugar, 1901-1982, founder of the Star Market chain of supermarkets in New England, philanthropist and most prominent member of the Mugar family of Greater Boston, was born March 5, 1901, in Kharpert (Harput) in the former Ottoman Empire now Turkey, of Armenian parents and died October 16, 1982, in Boston, Massachusetts.

Early life

Stephen Pabken Mugar, his father, Sarkis, and mother, Vosgitel, and his two sisters, Alice and Mary, whose family name was shortened from "Mugardichian", came to America from the Ottoman Empire in 1906 to join his father's brothers who owned a restaurant on Massachusetts Avenue in Boston. Another sister, Helen, was born after their arrival in Massachusetts. The 1910 United States Census shows the family in the 19th Ward of Boston and lists Sarkis Mugar's occupation as "waiter in restaurant." In 1916, Sarkis Mugar paid $800.00 for the Star Market, a small grocery store, at 28 Mt. Auburn Street in Watertown and Stephen eventually went to work for his father in the store. [cite news
url=http://www.arzo.com/arzo2/MIRROR_SPECTATOR%20February%2012,%201999.htm
author=Sigrid Reddy Watson
accessdate=2008-07-02
title=AZG/MIRROR-SPECTATOR ON-LINE
date=1999-02-12
title=A Watertown Historian Looks at Steve Mugar's Legacy
quote=Reprinted from the "Watertown Tab and Press", December 17, 1998]

Early career

In 1922, Stephen's father was killed at age 49 from complications from an automobile accident, leaving Stephen to take over the Star Market to support his mother, himself and his sisters. His hard work, determination and concern for his customers enabled the store to prosper. In the early 1930s he hired his young first cousin, John M. Mugar to bag groceries and encouraged him to further his education at Tufts, from which John graduated magna cum laude in 1937. The second Star Market was opened in Newtonville in 1932 and the third one was opened in Wellesley in 1937.http://www.ci.watertown.ma.us/DocumentView.asp?DID=643] John Mugar joined Stephen in management and later became both President and Chairman of Star Market.

Later career

After the war ended and wartime restrictions and shortages were over, Star Market expanded throughout Greater Boston to meet the increased affluence and consumer demand. The second Star Market in Newtonville opened in 1948 and was Mugar's first supermarket. It was the proptype of the other modern supermarkets that Mugar opened during this period. Meats and produce were packaged in cellophane wrappers to make them more appealing to consumers. A conveyor belt carried bags of groceries to a central pickup station by the parking lot. Customers tired of no self service at stores such as A&P or self service but little else at First National Stores came from miles around to patronize the new Star Market.

Philanthropic giving by Stephen Mugar

After making his fortune in the Star Market business, Stephen P. Mugar became a generous contributor to educational institutions and Armenian causes locally and abroad.

Armenian Assembly of America

The Armenian Assembly of America is non-profit group aimed at increased Armenian-American participation in the American democratic process as well as assisting in humanitarian and development programs in Armenia. Stephen Mugar gave generously during his lifetime and his estate in 1984 gave one million dollars to help launch its endowment fund.

Mugar Hall at Tufts

The Mugar Hall at The Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University was given in memory of his parents.

Mugar Library at Haigazian University

The Mugar Library at Haigazian University, an Armenian institution in Beirut, Lebanon, was given in memory of his parents.

Mugar Life Sciences Building at Northeastern

The Mugar Life Sciences Building at Northeastern University, which contains the College of Pharmacy and Allied Health Professions, Departments of Psychology, Biology, and Chemical Engineering, and laboratories and classrooms, was given in 1963 in memory of his parents.

Mugar Memorial Library

The Mugar Memorial Library at Boston University was given in memory of his parents.

Gifts in memory of Marion and Stephen Mugar

Armenian Library & Museum of America

In 1992, the former Coolidge Bank building in Watertown, which was bought by the Armenian Library and Museum of America in 1988, was dedicated to the memory of Stephen Pabken Mugar and Marion Graves Mugar.

Mugar Omni Theater

In 1985, David Mugar gave the money for the Marion G. and Stephen P. Mugar Omni Theater at the Museum of Science, Boston.

Mugar Building at Cape Cod Hospital

In 2002, David Mugar gave $5,000,000.00 to the Cape Cod Hospital in Hyannis for a new four story wing in memory of Marion and Stephen.

Endowed Chair of Armenian Genocide Studies

Carolyn Mugar and her husband, John O'Connor, shortly before his death November 30, 2002, made a gift to Clark University in Worcester, Massachusetts to establish the Endowed Chair of Armenian Genocide Studies, which is named for "Robert Aram and Marianne Kaloosdian and Stephen and Marion Mugar." [ [http://www.clarku.edu/alumni/clarknews/winter02/newsbriefs.cfm Alumni & Friends] , Clark University] The current holder of the chair is Taner Akcam. [cite web
url=http://www.clarku.edu/offices/publicaffairs/news/press/articles/akcam2008.cfm
accessdate=2008-07-02
publisher=Clark University
date=2008-06-17
work=Office of University Communications : Press Release
title=Taner Akçam - scholar, author, ex-political prisoner, and courageous champion of civil liberties - joins the Strassler Center
quote=Clark University has appointed prominent historian Taner Akçam to occupy the Robert Aram and Marianne Kaloosdian and Stephen and Marion Mugar Professorship in Armenian Genocide Studies]

Marriage and Family

In the 1930s, Stephen Mugar married Marion Graves (born June 29, 1901, in Saugus), and they had two children: David G. Mugar, who became a business leader and philanthropist in his own right, and Carolyn Mugar, activist, who started a reforestation project in Armenia and is executive director of Farm Aid. Stephen and Marion Mugar lived first in Watertown and then in Belmont for many years. Stephen's business was in Boston, then moved further out to Burlington. Stephen Mugar died October 16, 1982, and was buried in Mount Auburn Cemetery. Marion Mugar died November 29, 1984 in Belmont and was buried next to her husband in Mount Auburn.

His Sisters

* Alice (Mugar) Yacubian, born June 5, 1899, died in May, 1981. Married Kourken Avedis Yacubian, born in July 1888, died in December 1963. Both are buried at Mount Auburn Cemetery. Children: Gloria, Robert, Alan (deceased), and Susan.
* Mary (Mugar) Sarajian, born January 2, 1906, died in July, 1977. Her husband, Mesrop G. Sarajian, died February 10, 1991. They had no children.
* Helen Mugar, born October 23, 1907 in Boston, died April 26, 2008 in Belmont, Massachusetts. [Collette, Matt. " [http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/obituaries/articles/2008/04/30/helen_mugar_100_helped_build_star_market_empire/ Helen Mugar, 100; helped build Star Market empire] " "Boston Globe", April 30, 2008, Obituaries, accessed May 1, 2006, includes 1995 photo of her with Carolyn Mugar, Peter Flaherty and Jennifer Mugar Flaherty] [cite news
url=http://www.wickedlocal.com/watertown/news/obituaries/x883026447
accessdate=2008-07-02
work=Watertown TAB & Press
date=2008-04-28
title=Obituaries: Helen Mugar] She had no children.

References