J.S. Hovnanian, New Jersey builder, dies

Jirair S. Hovnanian, 80, an Iraqi immigrant who founded two building companies, died Tuesday at his home in Mount Laurel, N.J., his grandson, Garo Hovnanian told the Associated Press.

Mr. Hovnanian had been hospitalized recently for small ailments and after being outside in last week's heat while watching his company build a house for ABC's television show, "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition," his grandson said. The show is scheduled to air Nov. 4.

Mr. Hovnanian started J.S. Hovnanian & Sons of Mount Laurel in 1964 after splitting from a firm -- Hovnanian Brothers Corp. -- he had started with his three brothers in 1959. One brother, Kevork Hovnanian later founded Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc., a publicly traded company based in Red Bank, N.J.

In the past 40 years, J.S. Hovnanian & Sons built more than 6,000 homes - mainly in Burlington, Camden and Gloucester counties.

Mr. Hovnanian, who immigrated in 1948 from Kirkuk, Iraq, is a 1952 graduate of the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School.

For more information on the company and the show, go to http://www.hovhomes.com/