Gerard L. Cafesjian, a major benefactor behind efforts to save the Minnesota State Fair Carousel that is now in Como Regional Park, died Sept. 15 in Florida at the age of 88.
Cafesjian, executive vice president in charge of marketing and advertising at West Publishing in St. Paul, gave more than a half million dollars to keep the carousel in Minnesota. At first the carousel was refurbished and relocated to St. Paul’s Town Square and then was put into storage. It was renamed after Cafesjian and moved to Como Park in 2000.
