Add a Memory
Send Flowers
Make a Donation
Vigen Shaghzo Obituary
July 9, 1935 - February 18, 2011
Vigen Shaghzo was born on July 9, 1935, in Abadan, Iran. He was the child of Armenian Genocide survivors, Nerses and Arshaluis Shaghzoian. His father had been a subcontractor for the British in Iran, which at that time ran the Iranian National Oil Company. In 1948, Vigen Shaghzo was sent to London, England for his higher education. 1956 he earned a degree in engineering from Imperial College. In 1957, he met and married the love of his life, his wife Gohar Manookian, in Tehran, Iran.
In 1959 Vigen and Gohar, moved to Kuwait, where his father had relocated after the nationalization of Iran's oil company. Vigen started, along with his brother (Arshavir Shaghzo) and father, the Ali Sayegh Contracting Company, initially a subcontractor for the Kuwait Oil Company. Under Vigen's guidance, Ali Sayegh Contracting Company became one of the most successful construction, aggregate and marine dredging companies in Kuwait. Ultimately, he moved his family to Los Angeles, California in 1979.
One of his proudest moments was his naturalization as an American citizen in 1985. He loved the United States and was very proud to be an American/Armenian and a member of the Republican Party. Vigen Shaghzo was a well know philanthropist for the Armenian cause, having built, along with his brother, the Armenian School and Church in Kuwait, as well as the Armenian Cultural Center in Beirut, Lebanon. Vigen died on February, 18, 2011, and is survived by his wife, (Gohar Shaghzo) his three children (Armen Shaghzo, Vahe Shaghzo and Vache Shaghzo), his daughter-in-law (Alenoush Sarkissian-Shaghzo), and grandson (Michael J. Shaghzo).
The funeral will be on February 26, 2011 at 2:00 pm at St. Mary's Armenian Apostolic Church located at 500 S. Central Ave., Glendale, CA 91204. The interment will be at 3:30 pm at Forest Lawn located at 6300 Forest Lawn Dr., Los Angeles, CA 90068. A reception will follow the interment at 4:30 pm at Brandview Collection Restaurant located at 109 E Harvard St., Glendale, CA 91205.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Eugene Galen, MD
February 26, 2011
Dear Gohar, Armen, Vahe, and Vache.
I am aware of the enormous loss that all of you have just experienced, but at the same time you should be so proud of Vigen's remarkable accomplishments for the family and the Armenian communities both here and abroad . How fortunate you are to have had him as an integral part of your lives. Please accept my sincerest condolences. Eugene H. Galen,MD.
Haig Artan
February 26, 2011
Dear Shaghzo Family,
Wishing you our most sincere condolences! Maritza & Haig Artan, Hampshire, UK!
Michael Chahine
February 25, 2011
Dearest Vahe, Vache and Family
My very heartfelt condolences at a very difficult time for all of you. I am so sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you now and the days ahead may God be with all of you. If there is anything I can do please, don't hesitate to call on me.
We love you and will miss you our faithful departed.
Armen Alenoush Michael Shaghzo
February 25, 2011
How you can show support
Donate in Memory
Make a donation in memory of your loved one.
Add photos
Share their life with photo memories.
Plant trees
Honor them by planting trees in their memory.
Follow this page
Get email updates whenever changes are made.
Send flowers
Consider sending flowers.
Share this page
Invite other friends and family to visit the page.
Shannon Sullivan
February 25, 2011
Dear Vahe and Peter,
My sincerest condolences on the loss of your father, I will keep him in my prayers. May God bless you and your family with love and courage in your time of sadness.
Stefanos Papadopoulos
February 25, 2011
Dear Armen,
My dear friend there are no words that can be said at this time, only know this he will always be with you and your family, looking over all of you with hes favorite blue suit and that amazing smile, telling you that everything is all right, go on with your lives with respect & dignity and you will make me proud! I love you and your family very much and so sorry canot be there with you to confort u, my prayers are with all of you.
February 24, 2011
Dear Vahe and Vache, I send you my love and deepest condolences at this very sad time in your lives. Your father was an impressive man. Please let me know if I can be of any help. Josie, Los Angeles
February 24, 2011
Dear Vahe and Vache jan,
We are so sorry to hear about the loss of your father. Sending you our prayers to you and yours. Please take care of yourselves and your mom during this difficult time. Please let us know if there is anything we can do for you.
Love,
Harry & Karen Babakhanians
Martha
February 24, 2011
Dear Vahe, my deepest condolences and prayers for you and your family. Sending you much love and light, and don't hesitate to call.... Martha and Keith
Janna Mules
February 23, 2011
To the Shagzho Family, my thoughts and prayers are with you always, may you find peace knowing your beloved Vigen is with our father in heaven. I love and admire each and everyone of you. Miss you dearly.
February 23, 2011
Vahe, Armen, Vache and Mrs. Shaghzo,
My family and I are keeping you in our thoughts and prayers. I personally hope that you can take time to celebrate the wonderful life and experiences that Dad was a very great part of. Peace.
Dan Harrington
February 23, 2011
"Vahe, I was saddened to hear about your Father's passing. I hope and pray that you will have strength during this time of loss."
Peter McClafferty
February 23, 2011
Vahe - My thoughts and prayers are with you, your mother and the rest of your family.
February 23, 2011
Vahe, know that you are in my thoughts and prayers. I know you were so proud of your father and loved him deeply and that you will miss him everyday. Be strong for your mother. My sincere and deepest sympathy.
Karen Rae
San Diego, CA
Rachel Felton
February 23, 2011
Vahe and Peter,
We send you and your family our prayers and condolences. May your father rest in God's Kingdom forever in peace.
Sincerely, Rachel and Bill
Peter Pritchard
February 23, 2011
A great man will be missed.
Showing 1 - 16 of 16 results
Make a Donation
in Vigen Shaghzo's name
How to support Vigen's loved ones
Honor a beloved veteran with a special tribute of ‘Taps’ at the National WWI Memorial in Washington, D.C.
The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.
Read more
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?
What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?
Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?
We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.
Read moreResources to help you cope with loss
Estate Settlement Guide
If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.
Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast
Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.
Read more
The Five Stages of Grief
They're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.
Read moreWays to honor Vigen Shaghzo's life and legacy
Obituary Examples
You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.
Read more
Obituary Templates – Customizable Examples and Samples
These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.
Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?
Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.
Read more
