Metropolitan News-Enterprise

 

Monday, December 31, 2007

 

Page 3

 

Services and Viewing to Be Held This Week for Judge Haig Kehiayan

 

By a MetNews Staff Writer

 

A viewing will be held Wednesday for retired Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Haig Kehiayan, followed by services on Thursday.

Kehiayan, who retired from the court in 1998 but continued to hear cases by assignment until 2001, passed away in his sleep Dec. 25 after having spent Christmas Eve with his family.

Los Angeles County Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich said in a statement:

“Haig was a good friend and civic-minded judge who, even as a member of the judiciary, remained strongly engaged in the community.  Christine and I send our prayers and deepest sympathy to his wife and family.”

Attorney Barbara Jean Penny, Kehiayan’s successor as president of the San Fernando Valley Bar Association, said that she became close friends with Kehiayan and his immediate predecessor as president, Lee Kanon Alpert, and recalled many happy days that the three spent walking every morning around the California State University, Northridge campus.

Remarking that Kehiayan was “well thought of and loved by his colleagues,” she noted that his legacy includes his involvement in the founding of the association’s Family Law Center for indigents.

“Many people are still getting services from him,” she said.

Former Rep. Barry M. Goldwater Jr., who represented northern Los Angeles County in the Congress from 1969 to 1983, told the MetNews that Kehiayan, who ran his first campaign, was mostly responsible for his election.

“His wisdom and political savvy were greatly responsible for my victory,” he said.  “He had a place in my heart because he was smart and sharp, and also a nice person.”

Kehiayan’s family sent a statement to The Signal, a Santa Clarita Valley newspaper, saying, “Haig was a loving and caring husband.  He was gentle, hard working and well respected and loved by many.  He will be missed.”

The viewing will take place from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Eternal Valley Memorial Park Mortuary, located at 23287 N. Sierra Hwy. in Newhall, (661) 259-0800.

Thursday services will take place at 11 a.m. at the St. Peters Armenian Apostolic Church, located at 17231 Sherman Way in Van Nuys, near Balboa Boulevard, (818) 344-4860.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Peters Armenian Church, or the Ararat Home of Los Angeles in Mission Hills, the family said.

 

Copyright 2007, Metropolitan News Company