The Minasian family is deeply grounded in faith, heritage, community and an appreciation for the place they have proudly called home for nearly three decades. Arpy and Mike have built a life in Newtown Square that reflects both where they came from and what they value most. From their first meeting at a church celebration to building a thriving business and raising a close-knit family, their journey is one of purpose and enduring love for
their community. As Arpy said, “We feel blessed to live in such a wonderful town, and we truly love serving this community.”
Arpy’s story begins in Queens, New York, where she was raised in a close family deeply connected to their Armenian roots. Her parents, Hovhannes and Marie-Therese Voskeridjian, were children of Armenian Genocide survivors who immigrated to the United States after marrying in 1966. They initially settled in Philadelphia before moving to Queens, where Arpy grew up alongside her brother. Their household was shaped by hard work
and resilience, as her parents spent decades building their lives through their dry-cleaning and typesetting businesses. “We were raised to appreciate the freedoms America afforded us and always felt honored to be born and raised here,” Arpy shared.
Growing up in a family business had a lasting impact on Arpy. From an early age, she learned that how you treat people matters just as much as the work itself. She developed a strong appreciation for small businesses and the important role they play in building community. That perspective continues to influence her today, both professionally and personally. “How you treat people and how you make them feel will always be remembered,” she said. Arpy pursued her education with that same sense of purpose, earning a Bachelor’s degree in Political Communication from CUNY Queens College and a Master’s degree in International Relations from American University in Washington, DC.
Her career has allowed her to combine creativity with relationship building. As a regional sales representative for a company specializing in hand-made, hand-carved, and hand-finished period gold leaf picture frames, and through her work with Masterpieces Custom Framing in Newtown Square, Arpy has found fulfillment in helping clients preserve and present meaningful pieces of art. She approaches each project with care, understanding that many items carry deep sentimental value. “People bring us everything from cherished heirlooms to fun and unique pieces, and we have the privilege of transforming them into something beautiful,” she explained.
Arpy’s commitment to her heritage and community extends far beyond her professional life. She has been actively involved in numerous Armenian organizations, serving in leadership roles and contributing to initiatives that celebrate and preserve Armenian culture. She has also dedicated significant time to St. Mark’s Armenian Catholic Church, where she has served on the parish council and sings in the choir. “Giving back and honoring our heritage has always been important to us,” Arpy said. One of her most meaningful recent efforts has been chairing the Armenian Heritage Walk Dedication Committee, a project tied to America’s 250th anniversary that honors both Armenian heritage and gratitude to the United States.
Mike’s family’s story is rooted in faith, hard work and the pursuit of the American Dream. Born Asadur Minasian but known to most as Mike, his parents immigrated to the United States in 1970, beginning a new chapter filled with hope and determination. Mike’s father was a skilled custom tailor. When he came to this country, he found a job working as a contractor for many tailor shops. He became known in the 1980s and 1990s for crafting custom-made suits for local celebrities, while his mother devoted herself to raising the family as a loving stay-at-home mom. In 1983, they settled in Broomall, where they bought the home they had always dreamed of. A true American Dream.
“We are proud of our Armenian heritage, and because much of our extended family remains overseas, we have always shared a particularly close bond with one another,” Mike explained. “My brother, his wife and their two children have lived in Broomall since 1992, and my parents were able to enjoy watching all five of their grandchildren growing up during their formative years.” Although Mike lost his father in 2014, his legacy lives on in the
values he instilled. His mother continues to reside in the family home, a lasting symbol of their journey, their sacrifices and the life they built together.
Mike attended Armenian Sisters Academy and St. Anastasia before graduating from Cardinal O’Hara High School, where he played soccer throughout his four years. He went on to earn a degree in Criminal Justice and Sociology from Widener University. Years later, Mike would deepen his education in another direction, earning a Master’s degree in Theology and Divinity in 2021, reflecting a calling that had been with him since childhood. “I
first felt called to serve the Church when I was just nine years old, and that calling never left me,” he shared.
Professionally, Mike is co-owner of Masterpieces Custom Framing, a business he and Arpy have grown into a trusted name in the community. Established in 2002, the business focuses on creating custom framing solutions that preserve meaningful items and memories. For Mike, the most rewarding part of the work is the personal connection. Each project represents a story, whether it is a wedding keepsake, a military honor or a piece collected during travel. “Being trusted with those memories and helping preserve them in a lasting way is incredibly rewarding,” he said.
In addition to his business, Mike serves as Rev. Fr. Asadur M. Minasian, an Armenian Catholic priest and pastor of St. Mark’s Armenian Catholic Church in Wynnewood. His path to the priesthood was not a traditional one. He first felt called at the age of nine, and that sense of purpose stayed with him throughout his life. While he initially chose to focus on family life after meeting Arpy, he continued serving the church in various roles for
many years. When the Armenian Catholic Church restored the tradition allowing married men to become priests, Mike answered that call and was ordained in 2021. “Serving as a husband, father, business owner, and priest has been one of the greatest blessings of my life,” Mike explained.
Arpy and Mike’s story as a couple began in a way that feels almost cinematic. They met in 1994 at the 70th anniversary gala for St. Mark’s Armenian Catholic Church. Arpy had traveled from New York to attend, and Mike was part of the event’s planning committee. From the moment they saw each other across a crowded room, there was an immediate connection. “We literally saw each other from across the room and spent the entire night dancing,” Arpy recalls.
Their relationship continued to grow, and two years later, Mike proposed during another St. Mark’s anniversary celebration, bringing their story full circle. “It felt like everything came together in that moment,” Mike said. They were married on August 31, 1997, at St. Ann’s Armenian Catholic Cathedral in New York. Their wedding day carried a memorable note of history, as they woke that morning to news of Princess Diana’s passing, a moment that added an unexpected emotional backdrop to their celebration.
The newlyweds honeymooned in St. Thomas, that took an unexpected turn when they were hit on their last few days with Hurricane Erika. “Fortunately we were safe, but it created a lasting memory with special meaning,” Arpy explained. “Turns out that my mother, who was writer and painter had dedicated a painting to Mike and me before our wedding. It was called the “Calm after the Storm.” Mike was always the calm, cool and collected one and I have always been the storm, a little louder and more outspoken.”
After their wedding, they began married life in Bear, Delaware, where Mike was working at the time. A year later, in August 1998, they made the move to Newtown Square and purchased the home where they still live today. For Mike, it was a return to familiar surroundings, and for Arpy, it was the beginning of a new chapter that would become deeply meaningful over time. “We bought our first and current home here, and it has been the foundation of our life ever since,” Arpy said.
Their home search was guided by a desire to build a life rooted in community and family. That vision was quickly realized when Arpy’s parents moved just four houses away, drawn by the opportunity to be close to their future grandchildren. Their presence became a central part of daily life, providing support, love and a strong sense of family connection. “We spent so many evenings walking over to my parents’ house, where there was always some-
thing waiting for the kids,” Arpy remembered.
Family has always been at the center of the Minasians’ lives, and that is especially evident in their three children, each of whom has pursued their own path while staying grounded in the values they were raised with.
Their son, Vahe, is 24 and a graduate of Drexel University, where he earned a degree in Sports Business. A lifelong athlete, Vahe played baseball and hockey throughout his youth and later developed a passion for music, particularly guitar. He has carried that same dedication into his professional life and currently works as a Client Support Specialist while planning to further his education in project management. “Vahe is such an old soul, he could spend hours listening to classic rock and playing guitar,” Arpy said with a smile.
Sareen, 22, is a student at Bucknell University, where she is pursuing a degree in Political Science and plans to attend law school. Her academic achievements and involvement in numerous organizations reflect her passion for advocacy and social justice. She is deeply committed to giving a voice to those who may not have one and has distinguished herself through leadership roles, research work and consistent recognition on the Dean’s List. “She has always been determined and passionate about helping others,” Mike shared.
Their youngest, Nare, 20, is studying Criminology at Penn State and also plans to attend law school. Known for her determination and outgoing personality, Nare has been actively involved in community service and campus organizations. Her work with the Newtown Square Police Department and other initiatives highlights her commit- ment to making a positive impact. “When Nare sets her mind to something, it is a done deal,” Arpy said.
Together, the three children reflect a blend of their parents’ values, combining ambition with compassion and a strong connection to family and community. “We are incredibly proud of the people they have become,” Mike adds.
Life in Newtown Square has been an essential part of the Minasians’ story. Over the past 28 years, they have watched the town grow and evolve while maintaining the sense of closeness that first drew them there. For Arpy, one of the greatest joys has been the convenience and accessibility of everything the community offers. “I have always loved that whatever we needed was right here in our backyard,” she said.
Their children’s interests were nurtured through local programs, whether it was gymnastics, dance, martial arts or sports. Mike also proudly volunteered during Vahe’s eight years playing at Newtown Edgmont Little League (NELL). Through it all, the Minasians have remained strong supporters of small businesses, understanding firsthand the importance of local support in helping communities thrive. “It is so important to support family-owned businesses because they are the backbone of a town like ours,” Mike explained.
After nearly 30 years in the same home, the Minasians feel a deep sense of gratitude for the life they have built and the community that has supported them along the way. Their story is one of continuity, from their shared heritage and faith to their commitment to family and service. It is also a story of growth, reflected in their children, their business and their ongoing contributions to the community. Arpy and Mike both agreed that, “Everything we do, whether in our business or our ministry, is about serving others and staying connected to this community.”