Iraj Hormozi

Iraj (Ira) Hormozi, age 85, was freed from the last chapter of his life that did not represent the vibrant person he was on January 29th, 2023. He was born in Hamadan, Iran Mar 21st, 1937. He was one of four brothers and 2 sisters. He had always been different from the rest and wanted to go beyond his own borders. He left to pursue his dreams which led him on a long journey that eventually took him to the port city of Hamburg where he crossed the Atlantic landing in New York. Since the Big Apple was not quite his cup of tea, he went to Chicago where he decided to settle. He went on to further his education at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, where he studied architectural engineering.  As his career grew, it brought him to live in various parts of this country, Maryland, Michigan, California, and Alaska. He reached a pinnacle in his career when he had been given a prestigious role overseeing an international construction project based in his birth country, only to end up having to flee the ensuing revolution of 1979. After receiving a death threat since he had become an American and was therefore a traitor, he was last to be rescued as he made sure that all under his supervision were safely evacuated first.  He then boarded the last commercial flight before everything was locked down, to the country that had become his true home. He eventually resettled in Louisiana where he worked at Gulf States Utilities a Nuclear power plant, as a Project Manager, for 15 years until an early forced retirement when his plant was acquired by another Utility company.  During his retirement, he relocated one last time to Madison, WI with his Wisconsin native wife Mary, son Jamshid, and Snoozie the family dog.  Here he enjoyed spending many hours weightlifting at the East side YMCA, where everyone knew and loved him, and playing his new acquired passion of Frisbee golf where he might be accompanied by his beloved canine buddy Snoozy. He enjoyed Olbrich Gardens and walks along the lake with Snoozie which was only a couple of blocks from his home. He loved nature and animals and was most happy outdoors. He was an amazing artist and rekindled that ability using his neighborhood as inspiration. He was great socially and quiet at home. He was a dapper dresser and always smelled of Lilac Vegetal aftershave. He adapted to every home he ever made in this country and made friends with all of his neighbors, especially those here in Madison.  He far exceeded anything anyone back home could have ever imagined and became an American who genuinely embraced the culture.  He was an amazing chef who excelled at every cuisine he attempted and enjoyed a good beer. He had a keen sense of responsibility and integrity and he dedicated himself to provide, protect and guide his children in the only way he knew how.

He is preceded by his youngest brother Abbas, who followed his big brother’s footsteps to the US, and survived by his three children Sandra Hormozi, Arian Hormozi and his youngest son Jamshid Hormozi who dedicated the last 14 years to taking care of his father: his granddaughters Isobel and Amelia Rose Hormozi.

We welcome you to share your memories here on Iraj's tribute wall.

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