Ara Karekin Pridjian, beloved husband of the late Anahid Pridjian, cherished father of Ara, Claudia, and John, passed away on Monday, October 15, 2018 at his home in Palos Heights, Illinois. Ara was born in Chicago on March 18, 1926. He received a Bachelor of Philosophy and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Chicago. He ran the family business, KA Pridjian Rug Company, for 50 years. All of his children and most of his nephews and nieces worked at 'the store,' learning important lessons in life as did the men and women who worked for him. Ara was a lifelong scholar with interests in Philosophy, Religion, and Science. He encouraged his children and grandchildren to study, to achieve, and to have questions and opinions. Ara attended Sts. Joachim and Anne Armenian Church. He will be deeply missed by his children Ara, Claudia (Levon) Nazarian, John (Gayane), grandchildren Candice (Mark) Reppell, Andrew, Karekin, Matthew (Veronica), Daniela, Gregory, Lori, Ani, and great grandson Grayson. Visitation at the Becvar and Son Funeral Home at 5539 W 127th St, Crestwood, IL on October 19 from 5 to 9 PM. Funeral services at Sts. Joachim and Anne Armenian Church at 12600 S Ridgeland Ave, Palos Heights, IL on October 20 at 10 AM. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Sts. Joachim and Anne Church with the memo: Pridjian fund.