Jirayr Yezekian

Jirayr Yezekian, beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, and friend, passed away on August 26, 2026, at the age of 89.

Born on September 18, 1936, in Amasya, Turkey, to Yesayi and Eghisabet Yezekian, Jirayr was raised alongside his younger sisters, Silva (deceased) and Hilda, whom he loved dearly. From an early age, he understood the meaning of family and responsibility. Leaving school at the age of ten, he became a tailor’s apprentice to help support his family. Through years of dedication, discipline, and extraordinary natural talent, he rose to become a master tailor.

Jirayr also had a lifelong love of music. A gifted violinist, he dreamed of one day playing professionally, but his devotion to his family and responsibilities led him down another path. He was drafted into the Turkish Air Force, where he served for two years as a chauffeur and tailor to high-ranking officers.

After his military service, Jirayr moved to Istanbul and opened his own tailoring business. There, his reputation as a skilled artisan grew, as did his vibrant social life. During those years, he began corresponding with Diruhi Aharonian, the daughter of a close family friend, Yervant Aharonian. Diruhi was studying at the Immaculate Conception (Anaratoghutyun) Catholic boarding school for girls in Istanbul. After she completed her studies in 1961, Jirayr and Diruhi became engaged, and on August 19, 1962, they were married.

Their first son, Norayr, was born on June 20, 1963. In 1973, Jirayr and Diruhi immigrated to the United States, where they began the next chapter of their lives. Their second son, Edward, was born on July 9, 1974.

Jirayr soon established himself in New York’s fashion industry, working for such renowned designers as Arnold Scassi and Roy Halston before joining Norma Kamali, where he became her principal tailor and pattern maker. During his years with Kamali, he contributed to the wardrobe for The Wiz, the musical film starring Michael Jackson. His exceptional craftsmanship also brought him into contact with many notable figures, including Raquel Welch, Lauren Hutton, Bianca Jagger, Yoko Ono, and Susan Clough, executive secretary to President Jimmy Carter.

Eventually, Jirayr left Kamali to establish his own boutique and factory, where his reputation continued to grow and his clientele included such celebrated figures as Yul Brynner. In 1994, he semi-retired and moved to South Florida to be closer to his young grandchildren. Retirement, however, did not come naturally to Jirayr. In 1995, he opened Jirayr Custom Tailoring in Fort Lauderdale, where he continued doing what he loved until his final retirement in 2003.

But Jirayr’s greatest legacy was not found in the clothes he created, but in the lives he touched. He was always the life of the party, known for his remarkable storytelling, his warmth, his larger-than-life personality, and his unmistakable, booming “Ricky Ricardo”-like laugh. He had a gift for making people feel welcome, and those who knew him well will remember not only his extraordinary talent, but his humor, generosity, and zest for life.

Jirayr leaves behind his beloved wife of 64 years, Diruhi; his sons, Norayr and Edward; daughters-in-law Sonia and Anahid; grandchildren Christopher and his wife Karla, Tanya and her husband Jacob, Nicolas, Eddie, and Eva; great-grandchildren Parker, Beau, and Sofia; and his beloved sister, Hilda. He was preceded in death by his sister, Silva.

He was deeply loved and respected by all who had the privilege of knowing him, and his absence will be profoundly felt by his family, friends, and all whose lives he touched.

His memory will live on in the family he devoted his life to, the craftsmanship he left behind, the stories he told, and the laughter that filled every room he entered.

Funeral Services

Funeral services will be held on Monday, August 31, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. at St. David Armenian Apostolic Church in Boca Raton, Florida, followed by burial at Pompano Beach Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. David Armenian Apostolic Church in Jirayr’s memory.

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