Architect Cartozian a backgammon Champion, humorous with a dry wit
Longtime Peninsula resident Richard Cartozian passed away peacefully on February 22 after a short illness, one week short of his 90th birthday.
Cartozian was the son and grandson of pioneer oriental rug merchants, Dickran O Cartozian and Sons, who established one of the first businesses of its kind in downtown Seattle in the early 1900s.
After graduating from Roosevelt High School in Seattle, Cartozian attended the University of Southern California, where he completed a Bachelor of Science degree in architecture. In the early 1950s he served in the US Army and then joined the Welton Bechet Architectural Firm, in Century City. He later formed his own firm.
Cartozian was an avid fisherman, and an exceptional backgammon player who won numerous backgammon tournaments. Friends and family knew him as being direct and sincere and possessed a great wit and a wry sense of humor.
Cartozian is survived by his daughter Stephanie Cartozian, and twin granddaughters, Hattie and Mattie. He regarded his younger brother, Fred (Arlene), as his best friend, as he did his two nephews, Kirk and Craig, and their wives, Stella and Erica. He also is survived by his great nieces Mia, and Ella, and great nephew, Maxwell. He was predeceased by his first wife Lorraine as well as his wife of 42 years, Jeanne, who passed away one year ago. Her children, Lori Cronk, Sandra Provencial, Cheryl Schatz, Michael Fracchiolla and Mark Fracchiolla were family to him as well. He is also survived by his Cartozian, Kirishian, Adishian and Hintlian cousins.
Services in his memory will be private. Pen