Celebrant Pam Meily Vetter


	Celebrating Life Everyone Has A Story...

"Everyone returns to God."

Farzad Nourai was born in Tehran, Iran, in 1953. He had a wonderful family and was an active child with a lot of energy. He loved to go to his grandfather's garden where he went camping. He loved eating watermelon and he enjoyed visiting relatives for weekend trips. He was raised with his loving sisters and brothers in Tehran until the age of 17, when he moved to England to attend the University. His parents were very supportive of his goals, as he majored in business. Soon, he moved to California, taking more business classes in college. He found success in being a salesperson.

In 1977, Farzad changed his life through Cry Help recovery and the 12-step recovery programs. In 1985, he had a chance connection when he met a young lady named Carol at a 12-step meeting. He had a wonderful sense of humor; he was romantic and caring. He was also very athletic, as he loved playing soccer, tennis, riding bicycle and working out. He was very energetic and exuded self-confidence. Carol felt comforted, secure and safe in his presence. The couple dated for the next five years. They went on cruises together and Farzad learned how to waterski with Carol at sober Club Med. They had a lot in common and their relationship indicated the next step: Marriage. The couple picked out an engagement ring together and in March 1991, the couple married in San Pedro at the Port of Los Angeles, Southern California.

As an entrepreneur, Farzad purchased his first gas station in 1989 and became a United States citizen that year as well. He was an over-achiever and constantly working. Professionally, he grew his business, owning five gas stations, and overseeing many employees as a successful business owner and entrepreneur. He founded "PMM Inc." He had the pleasure of many loyal workers - especially Bharat Bhattaria aka "Bobby." Recently, Uppal Harish, aka "Shawn," came to PMM and was fiercely loyal and dedicated to Farzad as his health declined.

With an interest in expanding their family, when Carol found out she was pregnant, Farzad was thrilled to become a parent. He was supportive and pampering to Carol throughout the pregnancy. He was in the delivery room on the day their son was born and videotaped the entire thing. Overwhelmed with tears, Farzad was so excited to hold his newborn son, Ryan. He loved being a father and he often told his young son, "I love you to the moon and back," or "Sleep with the angels," when he put him to bed. When it came to the important skill of swimming, he taught Ryan how to swim in the hot tub. He loved Ryan unconditionally and he made sure that he had whatever he needed. Both Carol and Farzad shared their love of animals with Ryan, who had many pets growing up.

The family celebrated Nowruz, the Persian New Year, during the Spring Solstice. They had a wonderful celebration at home and everyone got new outfits. There were presents for the younger kids and they traveled from family to family to visit. There were two weeks of parties to celebrate the Persian New Year and special time spent at his sisters' homes. With a great balance to honor both cultures, the family also celebrated Christmas together and exchanged presents. Beyond holidays, there were many good times for Carol, Farzad and Ryan. When Ryan was young, Farzad was good at playing ping-pong, as he played Ryan.

Four years ago, when Farzad underwent a life saving liver transplant, Carol, close family and friends were by his side. Farzad and the entire family were grateful for the gift of organ donation, which saved his life. To return the kindness of a stranger, many of the family members became organ donors.

Over the years, there were wonderful vacations and special trips to Carol's home in Minnesota to visit family at Christmas. As family was important to him, he was very good to his mother-in-law, Terri Parr, and enjoyed her visits and cooking. They had the happiest times when Grandma Terri visited. There were other memorable vacations. Ten years ago on a trip to Wisconsin, Farzad took a canoe around the lake and even swam across the lake. Every time he went somewhere, he made the most of his time. Even though Carol and Farzad grew apart and divorced five and a half years ago, they maintained a close friendship in raising Ryan together and shared travels to Seattle, Orlando, Alaska and Hawaii. Farzad even continued to travel with the family to Minnesota.

With a love of rock and roll, Farzad liked listening to Fleetwood Mac, Led Zeplin and the Doors. Ryan bought him CDs by Dire Straits and Simon & Garfunkel that he loved. He also enjoyed listening to Rivaldi's Four Seasons. Farzad loved sailing and snorkeling. He loved good food with a gourmet taste. If he was going to have something special, he didn't have a lot, but he had a taste to experience the best of something. He liked drinking Persian tea and he enjoyed his coffee. With a love of self-help books, he liked reading "The Road Less Traveled," "Five Things to a Better You," and the AA Big Book. He was clean and sober and spoke English and Farsi. As a result, he helped many Iranians find success, as he helped to translate the AA Big Book into Farsi. He started meetings in Iran to help people. Throughout his life, he had a heart for people and for animals. With a love of pets, most recently, Farzad had two dogs and four cats that were wonderful companions at his home.

Farzad was a man who didn't expect much in gifts, because he wasn't into material things. Instead, he appreciated simple, thoughtful kindness. To him, life was about family, friends and people striving to be their best. His advice to Ryan: "Stay focused and don't be concerned with what people say." Ryan will carry his father's advice with him forever. He was so proud of Ryan that his son was his life and he lived vicariously through him. In fact, his family and his son were the best parts of his life.

With beliefs in God, Farzad prayed and joined hands with his son when he left for school saying the
Serenity Prayer:

God grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change;
courage to change the things I can;
and wisdom to know the difference.

It was also the closing prayer used at meetings and it was absolutely important to Farzad to pray.

Both Carol and Ryan will miss his presence, his spirit, his guidance and wisdom, and being able to call him. Their memories will carry them forward now. The Saturday before he passed, Ryan visited him and just before he left, he went back inside and kissed his father on both cheeks. He's glad he made that special connection with his father. Carol remembers there were a lot of wonderful years and he took care of her. He was very sensitive and a good husband. In fact, she slept by his side the night before he passed away and they held hands. With tenderness, he said, "Thank you," and kissed her hand. His housekeeper of over 14 years, Linda Galvez, was his caretaker, along with the nurses, at the end. She cared for him and watched him take his last breath.

Farzad will be remembered as a determined man who was strong and filled with wisdom. His life was amazing as he came to the United States from Iran, created a foundation and laid the groundwork for success, and created a beautiful family. With a plan for the future, he was sacrificial as he put together a Trust so Ryan could go to college. Farzad hoped and prayed that Ryan wouldn't have to face years of struggle like he did and hoped he had good habits of taking care of himself and exercising. Farzad's advice to everyone would be to go on with your lives and make him proud.

Farzad was preceded in death by his Father and is survived by his Mother, sisters, and brothers. In addition, he leaves behind his son, Ryan, and his many nieces and nephews that he adored and was very proud of. He is remembered by Carol Nourai as well as MANY close friends that loved him, appreciated his kind ways and expertise for years, and the miracle of his finding the 12-steps and having been sober for many years.

Memorial donations are welcome in Farzad Nourai's name to support organ donation and transplantation services at UCLA http://transplants.ucla.edu.