James J. Lian

LIAN James J. Lian of Brooklyn, N.Y., and Stratford, died at the age of 85 on Tuesday, November 30, 2004, in Brooklyn, after a long battle with Alzheimer s disease and a brief hospitalization for pneumonia. He was the beloved husband of Josephine Azrak Lian; devoted father of Regina M. Lian of Brooklyn, Marguerite Lian-Hajjar of Stamford, and Anissa Lian DeMatteo of Ridgefield; cherished grandfather of Gregory and Jonathan Hajjar and James and Charles DeMatteo; and admired father-in-law of George Hajjar and Stephen DeMatteo. He was a caring, loving man, who touched many lives and will long be remembered. His career began at the White Rose restaurant chain in New York. He later worked for a family business that imported and sold fine linens. He was a retired partner of West Potato Inc., a wholesale produce business at Hunts Point Terminal. He also was a staff accountant at J. Ebb Weir/McGovern Florist. During World War II, he served in the infantry in the European Theater. Active in the community, he was the Republican candidate for City Council in 1957. He was a Knight of Jerusalem and a dedicated member of the Holy Name Society of the Church of the Virgin Mary. He was also active in the Verrazano-Narrows Chapter of the Kiwanis Club and the American Legion Post 791. Born in 1919, he was a lifelong resident of Park Slope. He also is survived by a sister, Virginia Azrak; a brother, Joseph Lian; and numerous nieces and nephews. Two brothers, Fred Lian and Charles Lian predeceased him. Viewing hours are on Wednesday (TODAY), from 7 to 9:30 p.m. and on Thursday from 2 to 4:30 and 7 to 9:30 p.m. at the Ralph Aievoli & Son Funeral Home, 1275 65th Street, corner 13th Avenue, Brooklyn, N.Y. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at the Church of the Virgin Mary on Friday at 10 a.m. Interment will follow at Green-Wood Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to the Church of the Virgin Mary, 216 8th Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 12115, or the New York Methodist Hospital, 506 6th Street, Brooklyn, NY 11215.