Alex Manoogian; Marketed Single-Handled Faucet

Alex Manoogian, 95, entrepreneur and philanthropist who made the single-handled faucet an international fixture in kitchens and bathrooms. Manoogian, an Armenian immigrant who was a skilled machinist, founded a small automobile parts shop in Detroit called the Masco Screw Products Co. In 1952, inventors showed him their patented ball valve joint, which made it possible to run both hot and cold water from the same faucet. Recognizing the potential, he set to work to build a one-handled, dual-purpose tap marketed as the Delta faucet. The product made him millions. His Masco Corp., with 100 manufacturing plants in 15 countries, last year posted sales of $3 billion. Manoogian gave millions of dollars to primarily Armenian religious, educational and cultural organizations. For 36 years, he served as international president of the Armenian General Benevolent Union. In 1990, he received the Ellis Island Medal of Honor, a national recognition given to an immigrant who has distinguished himself or herself as an American citizen. Last year, he received Armenia’s National Hero Medal. On July 10 in Detroit.