Vahe Isnar, founder of Lily Jewellery Manufacturing in Richmond Hill, Ont., passed away Nov. 18.
He died peacefully in hospital surrounded by his family and friends after a battle with brain cancer. He was 74 years old.
About 600 people packed the Holy Trinity Armenian Apostolic Church in Toronto to pay their last respects.
“I worked with him for 25 years,” said Vahe’s nephew, Aram Isnar. “We’re going to miss him. He was a hard-working man, very educated, and a very good jeweller. He gave me my start and took me into the family business. He helped me build my own life in Canada.”
Born and raised in Turkey to an Armenian family, Vahe studied to be a chartered accountant and received his degree before emigrating to Canada in 1972. He soon changed careers, entering the jewellery trade as a goldsmith and model maker, and later established Lily Jewellery Manufacturing.
In 1998, Vahe opened a manufacturing facility in Yerevan, Armenia’s capital, which used technology he employed at his own business in Toronto.
A founding member of the Armenian Jewellers Association (AJA), Vahe was also a member of the Canadian Jewellers Association (CJA) for 37 years. His passion for his trade took him all over the world to places like Russia, Uzbekistan, Dubai, England, Germany, India, Switzerland, and the United States, where he participated in numerous jewellery shows and fairs.
“We showed Canadian jewellery at these shows,” Aram said. “Everyone was surprised that Canada produced jewellery. Everyone thought only countries like Turkey or Italy made jewellery.”
Vahe retired from the company he founded in September 2008, passing the torch to Aram, who took over as chief executive officer.
Vahe is survived by his wife, Ani, his son Hagop, and daughter-in-law, Rita.
