Haig Papaian

A loving and devoted husband, adored father, cherished brother and dear friend, Haig is survived by his beloved wife, Hien Papaian; his four loving children: daughter, Sara Papaian; sons, Duy Papaian, Cao-Vinh Papaian, and An-Thai Papaian; and his sister, Suzanne Papaian.

Haig also leaves behind an entire extended family of in-laws who sorely miss him and love him; along with life-long friends and loving colleagues that deeply mourn his passing.

Haig was preceded in death by his mother, Margaret Tarpinian; and his father, Haig Papaian.

Haig came from humble beginnings as his grandfather and father escaped war-torn Armenia traveling through Italy before settling in Bronx, New York - where Haig was born. At the age of seven, Haig's family moved to Southern California and Haig remained there for most of his life. After establishing Montebello, California as their new hometown, Haig and his father went into waste management and Haig worked tirelessly from the bottom up to achieve a respectable standing for his company in the waste industry.

Embodying the spirit of the American Dream, in 1980, Haig became President and sole owner of his own waste management company, Haig's Disposal, when he bought out his father’s shares. In 1982, Haig purchased his ownership interest in The Commerce Casino & Hotel and remained a silent partner until 1997. In 1997, Haig sold his waste management company when he was asked to become active in the day-to-day operations at The Commerce Casino & Hotel.

From 1997 until his retirement in 2021, Haig worked from the position of executive director to eventually become President/CEO and Chairman of the Board of The Commerce Casino & Hotel, overseeing the largest poker room in the world with over 2800 employees under him. With a strong work ethic, Haig worked tirelessly alongside his entire team and was the only individual who has held all three positions of President, CEO and Chairman of the Board in the company’s history. As part owner and executive of Commerce Casino, Haig continued his legacy of family and treating all with utmost respect. He created a culture of employee empowerment where all employees felt valued and could become successful.

In 2017, during a business trip to Houston, Haig fell in love with the great state of Texas and immediately took measures to make it his new home. Although Haig spent most of his life in California, he was a proud Texan at the end of his life. After establishing a home in Houston, Haig and Hien ventured into hospitality and opened their popular restaurant, Savoir. Although Haig’s schedule did not allow him to work daily with his hospitality team, he treasured the staff and cared deeply for each member.

Haig was also active in the community and served on various boards including the Advisory Board of the Montebello/Commerce YMCA, The Beverly Hospital Foundation, The New Department of Motor Vehicles, and the Executive Board of the Sheriff’s Youth Foundation. He recognized the importance of giving back and was a major supporter to the YMCA, Rio Hondo Boys & Girls Clubs, City of Commerce Scholarship Fund, local and regional schools as well as local law enforcement organizations. Outside the city, he extended his work to supporting veterans through VAREP and Wounded Warriors, homeless families through Thomas House Shelter, foster youth via the Orangewood Foundation, his faith through Fullness of Truth and countless other political, religious and charitable organizations.

Before his passing, Haig made the profound decision to rededicate his life to Jesus Christ through the loving embrace of our Heavenly Mother, a testament to his faith and peace in his final days.

(Kindly note: Guests are invited to every event memorializing Haig Papaian. Out of respect and reverence the family requests the dress code of all black business attire.)

Friends are cordially invited to gather with the family during a visitation from five o'clock in the afternoon until eight o'clock in the evening on Thursday, the 4th of July 2024, in the Jasek Chapel and Grand Foyer of Geo. H. Lewis & Sons, 1010 Bering Drive in Houston, with Recitation of the Most Holy Rosary to commence at a quarter-past seven o'clock in the evening.

A Funeral Requiem Mass will be offered at three o'clock in the afternoon on Friday the 5th of July 2024, in The Cathedral of Our Lady of Walsingham, 7809 Shadyvilla Lane in Houston.

The Rite of Committal will follow, via an escorted cortege at Memorial Oaks Cemetery in Houston.

Immediately following the Rite of Committal, the Papaian family request the honor of your presence for a memorial dinner honoring the Life and Legacy of Haig Papaian in the Grand Foyer of Geo. H. Lewis & Sons, 1010 Bering Drive in Houston. If you would kindly RSVP for attendance to the Memorial Dinner by calling the family representative at (714) 499-3237.

In lieu of customary remembrances, memorial contributions in Haig's honor maybe directed to the Fathers of Mercy, 806 Shaker Museum Rd., Auburn, KY 42206 or online at www.fathersofmercy.com/giving-form/.