Former Glendale Mayor Larry Zarian dies at 73

Former Glendale Mayor Larry Zarian died today at Glendale Adventist Medical Center, according to friends and former colleagues.

In 1983, Zarian became the first Armenian-American elected to the Glendale City Council, where he served for 16 years. He also served as a board member for the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority and as a state transportation commissioner. His public service was recognized by presidents Ronald Reagan and George Bush, and governors George Deukmejian, Pete Wilson and Arnold Schwarzenegger, according to the city.

The 73-year-old also hosted “The Larry Zarian Forum,” a talk show on Thursday nights on Charter Cable.

“He was just dynamic in every facet of his life,” said friend and Councilman Ara Najarian. “He was always happy, always energetic and always fun to be around.’

Zarian is survived by three sons, Vincent, Gregory and Lawrence; a daughter-in-law; and two grandsons.

-- Brittany Levine, Times Community News

Twitter: @brittanylevine

Photo: Larry Zarian attending a meeting in 2007 when he was a commissioner for the California State Transportation Board. Credit: File photo