06/19/2026
Born in 1912 in Turkey, Hemayag “Mike” Abagian ran a shop first in Racine, WI, and then here in the 70's-80's on 10th Ave. Mike was Armenian, and married a Syrian woman, Vartouhe “Rose” Suslian in the 1950’s. They had three children. He worked in leather, and could also speak German. During Nazi-run Turkey in World War II, he was made to work for the N***s, repairing various leather items, in order to survive. Eventually, he was able to immigrate to the United States with four other Armenian men thanks to an Armenian church in Racine, WI, St. Hagop’s. There was a large Armenian population in Racine, largely due to many of them immigrating there after the Armenian Genocide during World War I. Though there was another bigger Armenian church in Racine, St. Mesrob, Abagian always remained with the St. Hagop congregation because he felt loyal to them for helping him leave Turkey.
Abagian ran a shoe repair shop in Racine, and his daughter Nora recalls driving their Buick down to Detroit on leather runs to his leather supplier. They would cram their car to the gills with leather and then return home with the supplies.
Abagian and his family moved to Menominee in the 1970’s at the urging of a family friend, Stan Ostrega, a barber in Menominee. Rose was not a fan of the move at first, as it was difficult leaving their family, friends, and culture. However after a time, they grew to love Menominee and made many good friends here. They would still drive down to Racine once a month for services at the church and to visit family.
Abagian was completely dedicated to his craft and was always working. He had a specialty in orthopedic saddle shoes for children. Shoemaking is an art form and it certainly was for him. Abagian was well-loved and well-known in this community, and every Friday like clockwork could be found in a corner booth at McDonald’s with his filet-o-fish. Abagian eventually returned to Racine due to health complications, and passed away in 1985.
