(From Left to Right: Vrej Mardirosian, Garry Sinanian & James Rez)
The City of Glendale was deeply saddened by the recent passing of three longtime community leaders. Below we highlight their respective achievements and innumerable contributions to the Glendale community.
Vrej Mardirosian
Longtime Glendale resident, businessman, and community leader Vrej Mardian-Mardirosian was born in Basrah, Iraq and immigrated to Glendale in 1974. A Glendale High School and Glendale Community College graduate, Vrej obtained a bachelor’s in Architecture from Southern California Institute of Architecture and went on to helm local engineering firm Mardian & Associates, Inc.
He was also heavily involved in the community, serving on the City of Glendale’s Historic Preservation Commission from 2005 – 2011 and Building & Fire Board of Appeals from 2011- 2013. He additionally occupied the role of Treasurer for the Glendale Historical Society and had been residing on the Design Review Board since 2013.
He is survived by his wife, Gina, and son, Austin, as well as three sisters: Seda Khojayan (Commissioner), Knar Avedisian, and Sylva Mardirosian, as well as two brothers: Varoujan and Varand Mardirosian.
Garry Sinanian
Throughout his life, Garry Sinanian held leadership roles in a wide variety of Glendale community organizations. A California State University Northridge graduate, he served as an Executive Board Member of the Social Democrat Hunchak Party Western USA and was heavily involved with the Armenian Council of America (ACA). He was also Co-Founder and Boardmember of the annual Armenian Independence Day Festival and boardmember of the Armenian Athletics Association (Homenetmen).
Garry married his wife Suzy in 2007 and they had one child, Samuel. Garry moved to Las Vegas with his family in 2014. Unfortunately Garry unexpectedly passed on October 13th.
Garry is missed by his wife and son along with his brother Mike, sister-in-law Armine, and his two nieces Kristina and Arusik.
James Rez
James Rez spent 30 years working for the City of Glendale and culminated the final five years of his public service career as City Manager. He previously served as Assistant City Manager and Personnel Director. He also played a pivotal role as a member of the Glendale Mayor’s 2020 Committee, a task force charged with determining what issues Glendale should address before the year 2020.
James additionally occupied leadership roles with the International City Management Association, Glendale Gateway Kiwanis Club, Verdugo Mental Health Center Board of Directors, Visiting Nurse Board of Directors, and Glendale Unified School District Personnel Commission.
In his retirement, he served several hours a week as a volunteer at the City of Hope.