Born on November 7, 1933 in Tajrish, Tehran, Iran, Gholam-Ali was the son of Mohsen and Batool Elyasi. He lost his father at an early age just as World War II was spreading into Iran. As the eldest son, he took on jobs at the nearby shops and businesses to ease the burden of family support during wartime while continuing to pursue his education. His early experiences with adversity would shape his character, resilient personality and work ethic for the rest of his life. He went on to attend Shapur-Tajrish School and later Dar-ul-Funun Academy in Tehran. He pursued two parallel paths for his higher education. He earned his Doctor of Pharmacy degree from Tehran University in 1960 and a Bachelor of Engineering in Telecommunications from the Ministry of Communications Academy in 1962. He completed his second degree while working at Qazvin’s Hospital Pharmacy – 100 miles away. He dabbled in poetry and performing arts in high school and university, writing and acting in plays, before life got in the way of those pursuits.
He started his government employment at the Ministry of Communications and rose through the ranks to leadership roles. He helped modernize Iran’s wireless communication infrastructure with Microwave and Satellite communications and Computerized systems before his retirement from his government post in 1979. Pursuing his medical education in parallel, he acquired his own pharmacy in 1962. He worked at the pharmacy in the evenings. After his government retirement, he ran the pharmacy full-time for another 22 years. Having earned their trust, local residents relied on his support, advice and humor for a variety of topics and issues, medical or otherwise.
Gholam-Ali travelled extensively within Iran and to Europe and the United States throughout the years. After his retirement, he moved to California to be close to his children and grandchildren, but continued to visit his beloved Iran.
Having experienced adversity as a child, Gholam-Ali became a prolific philanthropist. A life-long donor to children, medical and elder-care charities, he financed the construction of a school –in his mother’s honor- in Tehran’s 10th district in 2018.
He will be remembered for his sense of humor and his infectious laugh, sometimes not being able to get to the punch-line of a joke because of his own uncontrollable laughter. He liked to dance. If the right song came on, he would spontaneously begin dancing and would encourage others to join in. He also enjoyed gardening and planting fruit trees and tending the orchards. He cherished the company of his old friends and colleagues.
Gholam-Ali is survived by: his wife of 56 years, Minou Vafa; his children, Sohail Sayeh (Tracy Burgess) of San Ramon, Maryam (Bobbak) Hamidi of Coto de Caza, and Marjan Sayeh (Kambiz Misaghi) of San Ramon, California; his grandchildren, Kaveh Sayeh, Nema Sayeh, Maneli Misaghi and Thalia Hamidi; several nieces and nephews; and many good friends.
Gholam-Ali was preceded in death by his siblings, Mehri, Ozra and Amir.
A private graveside service is planned for Tuesday March 2, 2021, at Pacific View Memorial Park in Corona del Mar, California. A celebration of Gholam-Ali’s life will take place at a later date.
Memorial contributions may be made to the charity of the donor’s choice. Flowers may be sent to Pacific View Funeral Home, Corona del Mar, California.
To share favorite memories of Gholam-Ali and send condolences to his family, please visit the Funeral Home’s website.
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