Tony Petrossian

Tony Petrossian was born in Teheran, Iran on 09-28-77. The Armenians born in Iran are raised as Christians in a country in which the vast majority of its population are brought up Muslim. Armenians have been comfortably welcomed by the Muslim population for many many generations. Tony came from a very well known family in Teheran. He attended Alik Armenian Grade School in the city of Teheran from 1982 to 1984. At the age of 7 Tony immigrated to the United States of America. During the time of our family’s emigration circumstances surrounding the Revolution of Iran caused the emigration of many families to the Western States.

Tony began grade school in the city of Glendale at Mark Keppel Elementary School. His hobbies included football, body-building, weight lifting and writing. Tony began to write poetry and other literature at the young age of 14.

Tony attended Hoover High School in the 9th grade and continued his tenure until three weeks prior to High School Graduation. Tony was brutally stabbed to death by a predator on May 30, 1995. He received his hard earned High School diploma Posthumously.

Tony was well and widely known by all. Not just at High School, but by many, many people in Glendale. Tony was extremely popular, and regarded as “Friend”, by many whose lives he happened to touch. Tony’s humor and jovial personality were his best attributes. Everywhere Tony went, he elicited joy, fun humor and a sense of happiness.

Tony’s family values taught him to respect people. Near the end of his life, Tony clearly expressed his patriotic desire to serve his country and people, as long as he can.

Tony’s sense of righteousness and justice took him to the scene of his death to attempt to mediate a dispute between his friends and another group of people. In that final period of time before his death, only Tony stood up for what he believed in and gave the ultimate sacrifice of life.

Tony’s early and untimely death left his family and friends with many sweet memories …memories which we will treasure and hold dear for eternity. One of Tony’s final written works (created approximately 2 months before his death) speaks of friendship as a transitory and often times unreliable entity.

Tony leaves his family grief-stricken and indescribably scarred for the remainder of their lives.