Toros K. Panossian

Toros Khatcher Panossian, who many knew as Tony, passed peacefully from this life the evening of September 3, 2019 at his home in Moorpark, CA at the age of eighty-eight. He was surrounded and supported by his loving family.

Tony began his journey on this earth on April 16, 1931 in Kerk-Khan, Turkey (formerly known as Syria). His parents, Aghavni and Kathcher Panossian moved the family from Kerk-Khan to Rayak, Lebanon to escape the French and Turkish invasion in 1938. His family opened up a grocery store and that is where he spent most of his childhood years growing up.

Tony had a love for photography and film. It began at a very young age where he got his first job in the town’s only movie theater working the projection room. From there, a doctor who changed careers took Tony under his wings to open up a candy business where Tony worked as the production manager. He left the job as his family moved to Beirut, Lebanon and started working as a mechanic in 1958. However, his vision all along was to move to the United States and create a bright future for himself and to live the American Dream. Before he could move to the United States, he traveled to Kuwait to work as a mechanic for three years while saving money for his big move to Detroit, Michigan.

He was blessed to have gathered up enough money to begin working as a mechanic at a Ford Dealership in Detroit while studying at an automotive school. While studying and working there, he was approached by a co-worker about studying film and was suggested he study at a well known school in California. He then took his co-workers advise and traveled to Santa Barbara, CA in the mid 1960’s to study at Brooks Institute of Photography. There Tony received a degree in Cinematography in only two years where he learned how to direct and make films.

After receiving his degree at Brooks Institute, Tony went back to Detroit to continue working at the dealership. But he felt something was missing. He went back to Beirut to see if he could find a wife to share his life with. He had always dreamed of having a wife as well as children to love, grow old and share stories with. Shortly after he arrived in Beirut, he was introduced to the beautiful Araxi Atnalian. The young couple joyously married on April 23, 1972 in Beirut, Lebanon. There were big celebrations taking place as the streets were filled with much festive cheer. Together, Tony and Araxi departed their homeland to begin a fruitful life together in Detroit, Michigan. After having their daughter, Irene, they moved to Livonia, Michigan and two years later gave birth to two beautiful twins, Christine and Natalie. Tony yearned to have a boy and by God’s grace they were blessed with a handsome son, Jonathan. Tony had four loving children who all adored him and with this family of five, Tony felt his life was complete.

During the course of their lives, they decided to pick everything up and move to Moorpark,California to enjoy the sunshine and be closer to family. He continued to work as a mechanic in 1987 at Kemp Ford in Thousand Oaks and retired honorably in 1997. The countless awards he received as well as all the good deeds he has done during the course of his lifetime are astounding.

Everyone who knew Tony, loved hearing his light-hearted stories and laugh which would put a smile on anyone’s face. His love for his road trips as he himself was a world traveler, loved watching sports, giving unselfishly to his children and grandkids while he happily watched them grow up. His commitment to making sure everyone was taken care of will never be forgotten as his greatness will carry on for generations to come. Tony was an avid photographer until the last days he lived here on earth. We take pride, have the utmost respect as well as feeling blessed to have known such an incredible human being.

Tony is survived by his sweetheart wife, Araxi, and four children and their spouses: Irene Nelson (Glenn), Christine Dumont (Jeff), Natalie Bassler and Jonathan Panossian; six grandchildren: Tyler Nelson, Brianna Nelson, Danica Nelson, Eve Dumont, Eli Dumont and Curtis Bassler. He was preceded in death by his brothers Geragos and Panos and his three sisters Dikranouhi, Miriam and Elise.