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MACHINIST PROUD OF ARMENIAN HERITAGE
Toledo Blade, OH
May 4 2007
VARKES 'TAFT' TAVTIGIAN, 1921-2007
Varkes "Taft" Tavtigian, 86, owner for nearly 60 years of a successful
machine shop in South Toledo, died Sunday in St. Anne Mercy Hospital
from complications of an infection.
Mr. Tavtigian of Ottawa Hills, was president, and owner of Taft Tool
and Production Co. on South Byrne Road, which provides machining and
precision tooling for manufacturers.
He also was a co-founder in 1957 of Power Brushes Inc., a custom
manufacturer of industrial brushes, located in the Taft Tool complex.
He began Taft Tool in 1948. He was back from Army service in the
Pacific during World War II. He knew machine shops and the skill
of machining.
"He had to have a job and figured he'd start a shop," said Paul
Sneider, Taft Tools general manager, who is his son-in-law.
Mr. Tavtigian began the business with a partner, whom he later
bought out. Owens-Illinois Inc. and Champion Spark Plug were customers
through the years. The business at its peak had more than 20 employees,
Mr. Sneider said.
As much as his skill, his winning personality contributed to the
firm's success, Mr. Sneider said.
"As soon as you met him, you liked him. It was just that way," Mr.
Sneider said.
Mr. Tavtigian learned his life's work at the Henry Ford Trade School
in his native Dearborn, Mich., from which he received his high
school diploma.
He took pride in his Armenian heritage and kept close to his family.
"He was a gentleman," his granddaughter Leah Sneider said. "He had
a good sense of right and wrong and exemplified that to his children
and grandchildren."
He was a member of Robinson Locke Lodge, F&AM, and Heather Downs
Country Club.
He and his wife, Rose, married in February, 1944. She died in November,
2003.
Surviving are his daughters, Yvonne Szyperski, Katherine Tavtigian,
Archel Sneider, and June Blaisdell; sister, Margaret Van Dooren;
12 grandchildren, and 13 great-grandchildren.
Services will be at 11 a.m. today in the Walker Funeral Home.
Toledo Blade, OH
May 4 2007
VARKES 'TAFT' TAVTIGIAN, 1921-2007
Varkes "Taft" Tavtigian, 86, owner for nearly 60 years of a successful
machine shop in South Toledo, died Sunday in St. Anne Mercy Hospital
from complications of an infection.
Mr. Tavtigian of Ottawa Hills, was president, and owner of Taft Tool
and Production Co. on South Byrne Road, which provides machining and
precision tooling for manufacturers.
He also was a co-founder in 1957 of Power Brushes Inc., a custom
manufacturer of industrial brushes, located in the Taft Tool complex.
He began Taft Tool in 1948. He was back from Army service in the
Pacific during World War II. He knew machine shops and the skill
of machining.
"He had to have a job and figured he'd start a shop," said Paul
Sneider, Taft Tools general manager, who is his son-in-law.
Mr. Tavtigian began the business with a partner, whom he later
bought out. Owens-Illinois Inc. and Champion Spark Plug were customers
through the years. The business at its peak had more than 20 employees,
Mr. Sneider said.
As much as his skill, his winning personality contributed to the
firm's success, Mr. Sneider said.
"As soon as you met him, you liked him. It was just that way," Mr.
Sneider said.
Mr. Tavtigian learned his life's work at the Henry Ford Trade School
in his native Dearborn, Mich., from which he received his high
school diploma.
He took pride in his Armenian heritage and kept close to his family.
"He was a gentleman," his granddaughter Leah Sneider said. "He had
a good sense of right and wrong and exemplified that to his children
and grandchildren."
He was a member of Robinson Locke Lodge, F&AM, and Heather Downs
Country Club.
He and his wife, Rose, married in February, 1944. She died in November,
2003.
Surviving are his daughters, Yvonne Szyperski, Katherine Tavtigian,
Archel Sneider, and June Blaisdell; sister, Margaret Van Dooren;
12 grandchildren, and 13 great-grandchildren.
Services will be at 11 a.m. today in the Walker Funeral Home.