Arkady G. Fomin

Arkady Fomin, 68, passed away peacefully on the evening of May 5th, 2014 after a long battle with cancer. He was surrounded by his family. Born on January 24, 1946 in Riga, Latvia to Gerson Fomin and Ette Liba Yoffe, Arkady immigrated to the United States in 1975 with his wife, Sophie, and young son, Gregory, settling in Dallas, Texas. He became a naturalized U.S. citizen in 1981.

Arkady dedicated himself to classical music, as well as teaching and mentoring young musicians. In Riga, Arkady studied under legendary Latvian violin professor, Voldemar Sturestep, and graduated from the Latvian Conservatory. Arkady joined the Dallas Symphony Orchestra in 1975. Since that time, he has been a leader in the Dallas classical musical community through both his active schedule as a violinist with the DSO and his dedication to excellence in music education. Arkady was the Founder and Artistic Director of the New Conservatory of Dallas, the Artistic Director of Conservatory Music in the Mountains, Durango, Colorado, and violinist with the CLAVIER TRIO. Arkady was honored as a recipient of the Cowlishaw Artist-in-Residence Award at The University of Texas at Dallas for artistic achievement and contributions to the City of Dallas. In 2012, the President of Latvia awarded Arkady the Order of the Three Stars Medal of Honor for his contribution to Latvian culture.

Arkady is survived by his loving wife of 47 years, Sophie Fomin; son Greg Fomin and daughter-in-law Jennifer Fomin; grandson Jacob Fomin; granddaughter Aubrey Fomin; sister Dalia Genkin and her husband Dimitri Genkin, and their daughter Sabina and her daughter Sophie; brother Leon Ziligson and his wife Valentina Ziligson, and their son Philip and daughter Laura.

The celebration of Arkady's life will be held on Thursday, May 8, 2014 at 4pm in the main Chapel at Sparkman/Hillcrest (7405 W. Northwest Hwy, Dallas, TX 75225). In Lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations may be made to the Dallas Symphony Association or The Jewish Family Service.