Marc Antony Tognozzi was born and baptized to Jan and Esther (Chelebian) Tognozzi on April 27, 1985 in Tarzana, California.
Marc enthusiastically celebrated his Italian and Armenian ancestry with the culture, traditions and cuisines of each. He enjoyed school, travel, outdoor adventure, camping, fishing, and working in the family business. At age 15 he completed the U.S Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) program including a full coronation ceremony at the Coronado Naval Base in San Diego. Marc then joined the California Air Force Auxiliary Civil Air Patrol program and served dutifully at Southern California air show events as a uniformed cadet. By age 17 he also completed and earned many Boy Scout merits and badges as a member of the local Armenian chapter throughout his youth.
Marc Antony Tognozzi passed away abruptly at 28 years of age. Marc is survived by his mother and father, sisters Nyree and Danielle, and his beautiful fiancée Alina. Marc was the oldest of 12 grandchildren and the second oldest of his 11 first cousins. He remained closely bonded to his grandparents, his four aunts and three uncles in his own perceptive way.
One can only pretend to survive a loss of this magnitude. In an effort to find solace and create some good from this terrible tragedy, we have partnered with The Paros Foundation to create The Marc Tognozzi Memorial Fund. With this Fund, our intention is to support a variety of Paros projects in Marc’s memory including adopting a classroom in Marc’s name in the village of Hatsig in the Armavir Region of Armenia. We also intend on supporting the Foundation’s efforts to put warm winter boots on the feet of Armenia’s needy children. Education, compassion and an affinity for shoes were interests close to Marc’s generous heart!
It is our hope that Marc’s memory, his face with a smile, his voice with talk, his wit and laugh and his rare natural honor will be memorialized through this effort.
J.E.N.D.Tognozzi
