Ataollah Shafiyoon

Ata was born on April 30, 1931, in Isfahan, Iran to Reza and Fatimah Shafiyoon. His father was a pomegranate farmer, and his mother was a homemaker. Ata grew up in Isfahan, graduated from high school in 1949 and completed his required military service in 1953. He later immigrated to the United States in 1959 and immediately began work at Manning’s Cafeteria in Los Angeles Ca. While working, he attended Woodbury College and received a Bachelor of Science degree in Business.

In 1967, Ata began his career as a Food Service Director for Mount St. Mary’s College where he worked for 30 years. He met his wife Jill, a registered nurse, and married in 1969. The couple moved to the San Fernado Valley in 1973 and raised two sons, Mark and James. Ata received the Karl Kartcher Service Award for successfully catering an event for the U.S. Olympic Committee during the 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles. After retiring in 1997, he moved to Irvine CA where he spent the rest of his years.

Outside of work, Ata enjoyed bird watching with the Sea and Sage Audubon Society and volunteering at the Newport Beach Library. He will be remembered for his love of his family, especially his grandchildren.

Ata is survived and loved by his wife Jill of Irvine CA; children Mark Shafiyoon of Costa Mesa, CA and James Shafiyoon of San Clemente CA; grandchildren Jack and Evie; sister Pari Shafiyoon and niece Mahtab Mescali, brother-in-law William Underwood of Villa Park CA, nieces Cresence Boland, Heather Carroll, and nephew John Underwood.

He was preceded in death by his parents Reza and Fatimah Shafiyoon of Isfahan Iran, his siblings Mortizah, Jallal, Mohammed and Mali Shafiyoon, in laws John and Viola Leggett of Newport Beach CA and sister-in-law Sherrie Underwood of Villa Park Ca.