Pilibosian, Kasper
Kasper ("Gup") Pilibosian, age 97, of Wellesley, Massachusetts passed away on October 1, 2014. Preceded in death by his parents, Hagop and Siranoosh (Boyajian) Pilibosian, brothers, George and Koorken Pilibosian, sister and brother-in law, Rose (Pilibosian) Durham and Larry Durham and nephew, Edward Durham. Survived by his devoted and beloved companion of 30 years, Jane B. Donahue, of Wellesley, MA. Also survived by his sister-in-law, Jean Pilibosian, of Damariscotta, ME, nephew, George Pilibosian, of Atlanta, GA, niece, Karen Thompson and her husband Merle, of New Harbor, ME, niece, Kathe Holly and her husband Chris, of New Harbor, ME, great niece, Katherine Thompson, of New Harbor, ME, and niece, Laurie (Durham) Daigle and her husband Jack, of Mendon, MA.
Kasper was born in Whitinsville, MA on July 20, 1917, and moved to Wellesley with his family at the age of four. As an ambitious youth growing up in the Depression Era, Kasper never missed an opportunity for gainful employment. "As the school bell rang, he jumped out of the classroom window and raced to the Carnation Greenhouse in Wellesley to apply for 'that one open position' ". He later worked as a delivery person for the Wellesley Supermarket.
Kasper served our country from 1942-1945. He studied radio and electronics with Dorothy Hayworth, Physics Department, Wellesley College. He was accepted to Officer's Candidate School in New Jersey and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the Army Signal Corps. His service started with "D Day plus 10 days, followed by active duties in Belgium, Holland, France and Germany. He was decorated with five stars, including the Battle of the Bulge. Armistice in Japan saved him from deployment to the Pacific theatre. He was discharged from the Army with the rank of Captain.
Early on, Kasper worked for Gregorian Rug Company in Wellesley Hills. In 1949 he opened his own small rug shop in Wellesley Hills. His father worked with him, as did several other employees who became life-long friends. With his hard work, determination and optimistic nature, his business eventually outgrew this location. In 1953 he opened a larger location at 91 Central Street, Wellesley; the “Odd Fellows Building”. Upon his retirement, he sold the business to his long term employee Ira ("Skip") Foss of Wellesley. Kasper later purchased this building and sold it in 2012.
As owner of Kasper Pilibosian Oriental Rugs, Inc., with an additional location in Santa Barbara, CA, he was a successful and well-respected businessman. He stated: "Like many Armenian rug dealers, I love the rugs for their value, richness, smell and texture. It is probably a seventh sense that we were given – to enhance our lives with rugs. I am excited to go to work every morning." This is evidenced by a comment made by a Wellesley Townsman interviewer: "Mr. Pilibosian welcomes you with such friendly warmth that you might think he has known you for 50 years". Kasper's proverbial advertising quote was "Today's Pleasure is Tomorrow's Treasure."
Kasper was a very active member of the Odd Fellows Grand Lodge in Worcester for over 50 years and a Trustee on three boards. At the same time, he was a dedicated and contributing member of the Odd Fellows Sincerity Lodge #173 in Wellesley. He developed many valued and lasting friendships within the lodges and the following associations: Armenian Museum and Library, Watertown (Trustee); Saint James Armenian Church, Watertown; Masons, Boston; Textile Museum, Washington D.C.; Businessmen's Exchange Club, Wellesley; Nehoiden Golf Club, Wellesley; and Wellesley College Club. Known for his quick wit, Kasper could produce a joke for any situation-especially on the golf course!
Kasper was also known for his great generosity to friends and strangers in need. This generosity inspired the establishment of the Kasper Pilibosian Charitable Foundation, Inc. in 1999.
Many devoted friends and family will strongly feel this sad loss, but we know that Kasper will indeed "Rest in Peace".
Visiting Hours: Monday, October 20th, 3:00-7:00 PM, George F. Doherty & Sons Funeral Home, 477 Washington Street (Route 16), Wellesley, MA, 02482. (781-235-4100)
Funeral Service: Tuesday, October 21st, 11:00 AM, Wellesley Congregational Church “The Village Church”, 2 Church Street, Wellesley, MA 02482. Following the service, all are invited to the Wellesley College Club, 727 Washington Street, Wellesley, MA 02482. We will share lunch and warm memories of Kasper. Burial will be private.
In lieu of flowers, charitable donations in Kasper’s memory may be made to Perkins School for the Blind, c/o Trust Department, 175 North Beacon Street, Watertown, MA, 02472 or The Seeing Eye, Inc. (the country's oldest guide dog training facility), P.O. Box 375, Morristown, NJ 07963-0375.