VA2EE ( /W7) - Formerly VE2NAM

A dear friend of mine, Arman Ozbasar (VA2EE/W7) became a silent key on February 26. He was somewhat well known and was a ham for over 30 years. Many of you may have worked him and we all feel the loss.

Following is the obituary that was run in the local paper today.

Arman Ozbasar
VA2EE (Formerly VE2NAM)

Jan. 16, 1944 -- Feb. 26, 2003

Arman Ozbasar died at age 59 in Port Angeles, WA.

He was born in Istanbul, Turkey, to Hayik Kirkor and Siranus (Simonyan) Ozbasar.

He served with the Turkish Army as a radio specialist.

During 30 years in Canada, he owned a picture gallery and framing service, as well as manufacturing fabric-covered buttons.

He came to Port Angeles three years ago to plant grapes, intending to harvest their leaves for commercial purposes.

In addition to viticulture, Mr. Ozbasar's interests included Mediterranean cooking and ham radio.

His first marriage was to Tanya Pesayan in Istanbul on May 9, 1971. They divorced about 1979.

He married Colleen L. Imholte, who survives him in Port Angeles, on Aug. 26, 2000.

Other survivors include his daughters, Natacha Ozbasar and Magalie Ozbasar, and stepdaughter Taylor Rickard.

Services: Private memorial was held at the family home on March 8; public memorial will be held in a Montreal church at a later time. Burial of cremains will also be in Montreal.