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BORN
1930
DIED
2019
George Balian Obituary
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Memories and Condolences
for George Balian
Sponsored by Pasadena Star-News.
Annie Smithian
January 18, 2025
Sorry for the loss
George Secour
January 8, 2025
Thank you for making my lil brother's and my Christmas that much more amazing! As lil kids we couldn't wait for you to put up the lights every year. Our grandparents lived west on Mendocino.
May you rest in peace with our heavenly Father and thank you for the forever cherished memories
David Rubin
November 5, 2024
The Balian House was a family tradition for many years when I was small and my parents used to take me and my brothers. When I became a father, I would take my daughters. Just by the kind act of turning the house into a Christmas fantasy did Mr. Balian improve the lives of hundreds of thousands of people at such a special time. May God protect him and may he be entertaining the Heavenly Host with his music. RIP and Thank you!
Ruth
October 26, 2023
Thank you for the great Christmas decorations. I visited the huge display almost every Christmas since 2000. Thank you for the great memories. May God Bless You.
Judy Arrington
February 6, 2023
This man helped to make a lot of memories for myself and other folks in the Altadena area. Some folks make a difference in the world that is felt. He was one.
Lori Herrera / Kovack
March 7, 2021
I went to school with Habib at St. Elizabeth. Condolences. I was just telling my husband about the house. I know live in Pa. And how beautiful it was at Christmas when I googled an saw passing. He brought many people joy every year. I’m so sorry for your loss
James Aragon
February 20, 2021
p.s. Mr. Balian you had the exact same birthday as my mom Velia. Wow, she loved Christmas so much too & got to see the lights before she passed. Please say hello for me!?
James Aragon
February 20, 2021
Gracias for all the love you shared with me and my family! As a resident of both Altadena, now Pasadena for almost 20 years you brought me much joy with your beautiful display of Christmas joy every year! I am a Professor/Counselor @ Pasadena City College & so proud of our community, especially people like yourself! May you rest in power & peace filled with the joy & goodness you gave to so many Mr. Balian. God Bless your family too!
Mary Feiner
December 20, 2020
I’m so saddened to hear of George’s passing. My family enjoyed decades of coming to Altadena to see the famous Balian lights. Thank you for the wonderful memories and bringing joys and light to so many lives. May you Rest In Peace of the arms of our Lord Jesus Christ. Thank you Balian Family.
Pelar
October 28, 2020
Thank you for all the years of lights and love . This was so many peoples childhood memories . May you now have the best of lights and Christmas joy with our savior Jesus ! Amen God bless you and keep you and your family sir . We miss and love you !
Peter Gillissen
December 28, 2019
Rest In Peace George and thank you for giving myself and thousands of others a beautiful Christmas tradition that we will deeply miss.
Patty Kennedy
December 12, 2019
Thank you so much for sharing your beautiful Christmas display for so many years!!! And your yummy ice cream too!!! You made so many people smile. RIP and thank you!!!
Andrew
November 28, 2019
A great light in many of our childhoods has gone out Bring the lights back ... keep the tradition going . Love you George....
Georgeianna Gibson
October 24, 2019
Rest In Peace George Balian please say HI to my parents in heaven and everyone else, oh I went to New York had the best time!
Susan Hubert
March 29, 2019
Many Many years of bringing children to share in the joy of the lighted Balian Home. For this I am truly grateful. Bless your new life with all the angels and saints!
Tom Joyce
March 21, 2019
May he Rest In Peace and Perpetual light shine upon him . Condolences to his family and many friends.
Thanks for the lights and decorations every Christmas
Mike G
March 7, 2019
Thank you Mr. Balian for your beautiful home, garden, and great ice cream.
In the late 1970s I was delivered the LA Times in Altadena, and your house on my route. It was a stately area of Altadena. Those lights in the dark were something to behold. Fond memories of slower times.
Rebecca Fleming
March 6, 2019
As a child it was tradition to drive past this house every Christmas season. When you drove up Allen and then made that right hand turn and saw that house all lit up it took your breath away. I brought both of my children there and have pictures of them standing in front of the house. If you grew up in Altadena or Pasadena all you had to say was "The Balian Mansion" and you knew. Thank you for your kindness and your giving back to the community. Even though the last light up was two years ago - every time I go by that house I can imagine it in its glory. Thank you for bringing the spirit of Christmas for the past 50 years. God bless your family.
Rosiris Paniagua
March 4, 2019
As a child I loved coming to this house during Christmas. It was so magical and memorable. I hope they will carry the tradition on for George.
Margaret Nesmith
March 4, 2019
Our heartfelt sympathy goes out to the Balian family. Thank you, George, for the many wonderful Christmas memories. May you RIP.
George Courville
March 3, 2019
Will miss the Christmas house as I copy him the best I could for 45 years. Never missed a year to drive up the street and walk around. The old school days will never be the same. Go with God.
Aura Amaya-Lopez
March 3, 2019
Our heartfelt condolences to the Balian family. Thank you Mr Balian for giving my family and I so much joy every single Christmas. Our pictures of your wonderful decorated house will always be one of our greatest memories.
Julie Redinger
March 3, 2019
Rest In Peace George. You made many people happy with your beautiful display and put the magic of Christmas in so many childrens eyes.
Terri Reed
March 3, 2019
Thanks for the " LIGHTS " memories. God bless you.
Francine Moody
March 3, 2019
My heartfelt condolences, prayers and blessings go out to the family. Every Christmas we made sure to go by and view his home. It would light up the whole area. Simply amazing. I was born and raised in Pasadena and always looked forward to taking my children and grandchildren by the Balian home. Thank you for the memories ♥ God Bless!
Em Freeport
March 3, 2019
Our heartfelt condolences to the Balian family. We went his house this past christmas hoping to see the house lit becoz it brought so much joy. We are truly saddened by his passing. May God bless you all!
Jody Acott
March 2, 2019
Thank you for giving to the Altadena community for so many years. As a child and adult i have looked forward to the Xmas decorations. You will be missed, test in peace.
Glenda Penate
March 2, 2019
Prayers and condolences to the family
Denise Hamilton
March 2, 2019
HIs Christmas displays brought so much joy to everyone over the years. It wasn't Christmas without going to see the Balian home. But in reading his obituary, I learned that there was so much more to him, so much to be proud of in his long life. My condolences to his family and friends.
Steven Tepe
March 2, 2019
Your garden and decorations will be remembered by our family.
Steve Tepe
Debbi Swanson
March 2, 2019
Thank you Mr. Balian for giving us all such Beautyand joy for so many years.
Desiree Smith
March 2, 2019
As an Altadena native...you will truly be missed
MPJ Nieto
March 2, 2019
Thank you for such great Christmas Memories!
Olga
March 2, 2019
RIP Love and Prayers to the family.
Shirley Allman
March 2, 2019
Sending hugs of love and prayers for peace and healing hearts. We are so grateful for all the dedication and years of the gift of Mr. Balian xmas display. This iconic part of our lives from a young child to a older adult will truly be a life time memory. Rest easy George Balian you will truly be missed ❤
Leticia Montanez
March 2, 2019
So sorry for your loss, he will be missed. I enjoyed the Christmas lights through out the year.
Gwyny Pett
February 28, 2019
Thank you for your selflessness for so many years in your un-matched Christmas Display for the world to enjoy. I have enjoyed your ice cream for years, as well. Blessings to you and your family.
February 28, 2019
Condolences to his family.
February 28, 2019
Thank you so much for the Beautiful Christmas house and all the wonderful memories. Bernadette Magnani
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