Edward G. Nalbandian

Nalbandian, Edward G.
Prominent Los Angeles business owner of Zachary All Clothing on Wilshire Blvd., for over 40 years, passed away on February 22, 2006 having been afflicted with Alzheimer's disease for over nine years. He was born December 29, 1927 in Belmont, Massachusetts where he was proud to be a member of the Belmont Masons. Eddie learned his trade at an early age working along with his father in his tailor shop. Later, he improved his knowledge of custom tailoring and designing by working in the Boston garment industry, also attending designing classes under the G. I. Bill when he was discharged from the Navy. He met his wife-to-be, Anna Guchigian, at an Armenian church youth group convention in Providence, R.I. From then on there was nothing to stop him from courting her between Belmont and Atlantic City, New Jersey. After six months, they were engaged and happily married since January 28, 1951. With his father closing his business, the three left for California seeking his dreams. Eddie's first shop was on Pico Blvd. As business increased, he moved to Wilshire Blvd. for larger quarters. His then partner, Miles Ark, was instrumental in presenting Eddie on television to do his own unscripted commercials. It came natural, loving and knowing the business so well-his business grew beyond his dreams. He expanded from retail to wholesale where he traveled many years to Leeds and Liverpool, England for "Harris Tweeds", Milan, Italy, for designer names, Japan for famous fabrics, South Korea to oversee the designing and production of clothing sold in Los Angeles and across the country. His commercials always emphasized the clothing he sold was to be found at Zachary All in sizes "Cadet, Extra Short, Regular, Long, Extra Long and Portlies." It wasn't unusual to see him sewing or pressing at his store when customers would come in after seeing him on television. He was truly a working tailor at heart. Eddie had an innate business sense. He became an astute negotiator with the ability to foresee the "bottom line". Eddie's sense of humor drew many people to him and he loved people. We were blessed to know him. He was a most loving husband, and doting father to his two children, Edward Michael and Nancy Jo Ann, adoring grandpa to his three grandchildren. Survivors are his wife, Anna, children, Edward and Nancy and her husband, Jose Barajas, and grandchildren Richard, Joanna, and Daniel, of Thousand Oaks, California, and also his cousin, Philip Nalbandian and wife, Marilyn, of Watertown, Massachusetts. We know Eddie will be embraced by his dear mother and father and will forever be in our hearts for the sweet memories he leaves us all. Services will be held at the Old North Church, Forest Lawn, Hollywood Hills, on Monday, February 27, 2006 at 10:30 a.m., Visitation on Sunday, February 26, 2006 from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at Forest Lawn-Hollywood Hills. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory, may be made to: Alzheimer's Assn., 225 North Michigan Avenue, Chicago, Illinois 60601-7633; or St. James Armenian Church, 4950 West Slauson Avenue, Los Angeles, California 90056; or The Cedars - Sinai Hospice Fund, 200 North Robertson Blvd., Suite #102, Beverly Hills, California 90211.