Assembly Mourns Passing of David Mugar

Washington, D.C. - The Armenian Assembly of America (Assembly) mourns the loss of prominent Bostonian, David G. Mugar, brother of Assembly President Carolyn G. Mugar. David passed away on January 25, 2022. “David's generosity and the legacy he continued in the tradition of his parents, Stephen and Marian Mugar, is one that should be admired by both the Armenian community and a grateful community in his hometown,” said long-time Assembly Board Member and past Board of Directors Chairman Robert Aram Kaloosdian. The Mugar family, well known in the Boston area for their extensive business interests and generous support for local, cultural, and educational institutions, constitutes a pillar of the Armenian American community. David’s and Carolyn’s father, Stephen P. Mugar, was a critical part of the formation of the Assembly in 1972. His vision, commitment, and generosity in the early years helped launch and sustain the organization. Stephen served as Chairman of the Assembly’s Board of Trustees until his passing in 1982. David and Carolyn continued their father’s legacy. David responded generously upon learning of the Spitak Earthquake that devastated northern Armenia in 1988, and his children were moved by the consequences of the 2020 conflict in Artsakh to continue the family tradition of helping when and where the needs arise. David himself rose from being a meat cutter/store manager/executive at Star Market, a business started by his grandfather, Sarkis, in 1916 and continued by his father, Stephen, until it was sold in 1964. David worked at WGBH TV Channel 2 in Boston, under the mentorship of Henry Morgenthau III, where he learned about the television and media worlds. In 1969 David formed Community Broadcasting of Boston, a group of local businessmen who shared his belief that Boston should have a locally owned television station. A 13 year challenge to the FCC of RKO General’s License to Operate Channel 7 ensued. During those 13 years, David’s Community Broadcasting of Boston group merged with the Dudley Station Corporation group to form New England Television Corporation. The suit went to the US Supreme Court resulting in a landmark ruling in 1982 which granted New England Television Corporation the license to operate Boston’s Channel 7. On May 22, 1982, the new WNEV-TV went on the air. As Chairman and CEO, David oversaw the operation of the station until Channel 7 was sold in July of 1993. David embodied the City of Boston. In 1976 he talked with Arthur Fiedler about changing the Fourth of July concerts in Boston by adding fireworks, cannon fire, and church bells to Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture. Arthur Fiedler agreed, and the rest, as they say, is history. David produced his last Fourth of July concert in 2016 at which time, the Boston Pops took over management. While many of David’s donations were well known, many more were done in private to a wide variety of people and causes that were important to him. “David Mugar was a man who always saw the importance of giving back to his community.” said Assembly co-chairs Van Krikorian and Anthony Barsamian. “We extend our condolences to the Mugar family as we reflect on David’s full and meaningful life.”

Established in 1972, the Armenian Assembly of America is the largest Washington-based nationwide organization promoting public understanding and awareness of Armenian issues. The Assembly is a non-partisan, 501(c)(3) tax-exempt membership organization.

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