RICHARD GUREGHIAN Obituary

GUREGHIAN, Richard M. Born in Boston to Richard and Katherine (Hackett) Gureghian in 1954, Rick Gureghian was raised on Cape Cod and graduated from the University of Massachusetts in Amherst. After rising in his early 20s to become chief of staff for Boston City Council President Joseph M. Tierney, Rick spent his career as a media adviser and campaign spokesman for several of New England's key Democratic political figures, including Massachusetts Governor Michael S. Dukakis, Senator Edward M. Kennedy, State Auditor Joe DeNucci and Senator Claiborne Pell of Rhode Island. A firm believer in progressive politics, he helped rescue Senator Kennedy's, then flagging, 1994 re-election campaign by convincing the senator to emphasize the anti-worker record of his opponent Mitt Romney. He worked as an economic adviser for Governor Dukakis and promoted the state's financial success as the "Massachusetts Miracle," which became a key selling-point in Dukakis' 1988 presidential campaign. As a deputy press aide, he sought to humanize Dukakis' stern, business-like image and arranged to have entertainment figures, such as rock star Mick Jagger, visit the State House governor's office. Later, Rick served as a media consultant for economic, tourism and high-tech firms seeking to advance their interests in Massachusetts and was instrumental in crafting the public image for the successful campaign in 1991 to bring casino gambling to the Bay State. A lifelong resident of Massachusetts, Rick moved to Las Vegas in 2018, to be close to his partner of 33 years, LeaAnn Maupin. There, he focused on animal rights and rescue. Through the years, the couple rescued and fostered more than two dozen beagles. Rick passed away peacefully, in his home, on Sunday, after a long illness, surrounded by LeaAnn; his three rescue beagles and photos of all the rescues that had gone before him. He leaves numerous relatives in Massachusetts, including cousins in the Kurkjian, Hackett, Totovian, Lobur and Kasparian families. Donations can be made in Rick's name to: The Southern Nevada Beagle Rescue Foundation, www.southernnevadabeaglerescue.com

View the online memorial for Richard M. GUREGHIAN