Albert Kandarian, 103, a long-time resident of West Hartford, died on Thursday, March 28, 2024. He was the son of the late Sarkis and Rose (Orfalian) Kandarian. Al is survived by his son, Steven A. Kandarian and his partner, Joellyn C. Townsend, of North Palm Beach, FL and was predeceased by his loving wife of 67 years, Lillian (Surabian) Kandarian; his daughter, Linda (Kandarian) Ryan; his sister, Alice Kandarian; and his brother, Everett Kandarian. He is also survived by his devoted grandchildren, Jack, Molly and Emily Kandarian and Franci Ryan (Marty) Courage; his son-in-law, Jim Ryan; three great-grandchildren, Sophie, William, and Chloe Courage; and a nephew and several nieces, including Judi Malootian, his dedicated companion during his last years of life.

Al was born in Boston, attended what is now Cambridge Rindge & Latin School and received a BS in accounting from Boston University. While at BU, he played on the varsity football team and rowed on the varsity crew, which one year went undefeated against all opponents including the Ivy League schools. He served with the 221st Field Artillery of the Americal Division in the South Pacific during WWII and was among the first troops sent to the war in January of 1942. His unit participated in the Battle of Guadalcanal, a key turning point of the war against Japan. Al was an IRS agent for 30 years and retired in 1979. He loved playing golf at Rockledge Golf Club. He was a 32nd degree Mason, a Shriner and Mounted Sheik, a member of the Royal Order of Jesters, and a member of the West Hartford Regents. After retiring, Al and Lil enjoyed spending winters in Florida for over 20 years until he had a stroke that left him partly paralyzed. Despite his disability, he lived independently for another 21 years. Al enjoyed going to the Connecticut casinos, traded stocks on-line daily and filed his own taxes until he was 100.

The funeral service will be held at 10:30 am on Friday, April 5th, at the Sheehan Hilborn Breen Funeral Home, 1084 New Britain Avenue, West Hartford. Burial will follow at the Fairview Cemetery, West Hartford. Calling hours will be Friday, one hour before the service, from 9:30am to 10:30am at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that any donations be made to St. George Armenian Church, 22 White St., Hartford, CT 06114. For directions and online condolences, please visit www.SheehanHilbornBreen.com.