Donald J. Kazazian

It is with profound sadness that the family of Donald Jay Kazazian announce his sudden passing on Thursday, August 1, 2024 at the age of 81. Donald will be lovingly remembered by his beloved wife of 33 years, Marie, and his cherished children, Jamian and Alexa. He is survived by numerous caring family members and many devoted friends.

He was predeceased by his parents (Gladys and John Kazazian) and grandparents (Gladys and Albert Horn), his aunt and uncle (Elsie and Bill Bull), cousins (Joyce and Norman Slinger), and his first wife (Mary Ellen Newman, mother of Jamian).

Donald was born on June 17, 1943 in Passaic, NJ to John and Gladys Kazazian. An only child, he grew up in a loving home raised by his adored parents, his revered grandparents, his devoted aunt and uncle, and an older cousin. Donald attended Clifton High School where he excelled at baseball and other sports. Following high school, Don joined the National Guard where he served for 5 years. He then went to work with another uncle who had a successful interior decorating business.  After a brief time working for his uncle, Donald joined the United States Postal Service in 1966. He was an exemplary employee being awarded many accolades numerous times over the years. For the next 33 years until his retirement 1998, Don joyfully served the residents of Fair Lawn, NJ. He considered them family and one day one of them would become his wife (Marie).  Don retired from the Postal Service in 1998 and for the next 20 years he worked for the County of Passaic, Department of Parks and Recreation.  This afforded him the opportunity to work at the Passaic County Golf Course, a retirement dream job he had much coveted.  

Donald met his wife, Marie Heckel, when she was in the fifth grade while on one of his mail routes.  He became a friend to many families on his routes and Marie’s was one of them. Many years later she would become the love of his life and he often told her that.  He married her in December of 1990 and their daughter Alexa was born in 1993. Having found himself being a parent of a special needs child, and having had a child previously, certainly brought out Don’s nurturing instincts.  As he had done with Jamian years prior he did now with Alexa.  He was very involved with his special needs daughter. He doted on her and he worked closely to make sure she had all the love and care she needed. He was closely involved with her education, therapy, and development.  He attended every parent teacher meeting, school event and together with Marie hosted all of his daughter’s birthday parties. He shared a wicked sense of humor with his daughter and creatively entwined them into behavioral techniques.  He had good insights and a calm disposition, two important traits required in raising a child with special needs.

Don had a strong, steady sensibility and always exuded positive charismatic energy.  He was a great conversationalist, storyteller, and a joy to have around.  Don had a heart of gold and was known everywhere he went it seemed.  Whether it be a store, restaurant, doctor's office or even while vacationing on a trip to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina he would be recognized by someone.  Over 150 people attended the surprise retirement party that Marie threw for him in 1998.  Don was an extremely affable person. As a send-off to an avid golfer, he received 33 golf shirts - one for each year he worked.  He wore every one of them until he needed 33 more! He loved to teach golf as well and had the patience of a saint.

Don was multitalented and excelled at just about everything he did. In his younger years he took great pride in his clothes - not surprising coming from a family of dry-cleaning business owners.  He was a pool player who beat whomever he was playing.  He loved toy trains and old movies. He loved traveling.  His honeymoon with Marie was spent in CA and he would have gone back except life got in the way. He was a Jersey Shore guy.  He spent his entire summer in Wildwood Crest every year of his childhood, adolescence and teenage years.  He had an amazing long-term memory and forgot nothing about those years - especially during his teen years when Wildwood was considered the “Rock and Roll Capital of the World”.  He loved to watch documentaries of anything Wildwood and would choke up emotionally recounting those glory days.  Also during those days, Don became a close friend and devoted fan of the emerging rock group, The Rascals.  He would attend their performances every night in Garfield, NJ at the much revered Choo Choo Club, as well as many venues in NYC.  

Don loved spending time in the kitchen creating delicious meals for his family. He was a talented cook, master of the backyard BBQ, and loved seeing others enjoy his cooking. He loved watching cooking shows and experimenting with new recipes.  He always said the best cooks know how to cook well because they love to eat.  In his younger days he knew every restaurant in New Jersey!  Needless to say he was a superb cook, our family’s own personal gourmet chef.  

His zeal for food and cooking was rivaled only by his passion for golf.  When he was not watching cooking shows Don could be found on the golf course.  Don also had a love of  photography and we now have the gift of thousands of cherished photos, slides documenting his life and honoring the special people in it. Donald was a music lover who loved to dance. He was a frequent club-goer during the disco days. In an earlier era, Don became a dedicated fan of his favorite group, The Rascals.  Six weeks before Don’s passing we celebrated his 81st birthday with a special gift and personal video message from Felix Cavaliere (the group’s founder) and the band wishing him well.  A video was sent back to the band featuring Don sending messages of gratitude.  Marie organized this through the Twilight Foundation.  Don said it was the best birthday gift he ever got.  No one knew it would be his last.

The last decade of his life found him suffering with numerous medical issues. His long-standing battle with these serious, chronic conditions mirrored his courage in facing life’s challenges with a smile.  Blessed with a strong will to live, Donald surpassed all expectations and through his pain and limitations, continued to care for his family.  He was an inspiration to many.  

In remembrance of the life of Donald Jay Kazazian, the family asks that any charitable donations be made to the Tunnel to Towers Foundation.