City of Glendale Mourns the Passing of Paul R. Ignatius, Esteemed Public Servant and Glendale Native

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 7, 2025

City Media Contact: Communications and Community Relations Email: [email protected] Phone: (818) 548-3342

City of Glendale Mourns the Passing of Paul R. Ignatius,
Esteemed Public Servant and Glendale Native

Glendale, CA - The City of Glendale joins the nation in mourning the passing of Paul R. Ignatius, a distinguished public servant, decorated World War II veteran, and proud Glendale native. Mr. Ignatius passed away on November 6, 2025, at the age of 104.

Born in Glendale in 1920 to Armenian immigrant parents, Paul Ignatius's remarkable life reflected the values of hard work, service, and civic pride instilled in him by his family and community. His family settled in Glendale in 1911, where his grandfather built their first home on San Fernando Road-the same street that now houses the Paul Ignatius Post Office, named in his honor through federal legislation championed by Congressman Adam Schiff in 2024. He attended and graduated Herbert Hoover High School in 1938, where he was actively involved in student leadership, serving as class president and student body president.

As a young man, Ignatius worked as a clerk at that very Glendale post office while attending college, never imagining that decades later it would bear his name. His Glendale upbringing, he often said, shaped his commitment to public service and fueled his lifelong sense of gratitude to the community that gave his family its start.

During World War II, Ignatius served with distinction as an Ordnance Officer in the U.S. Navy. His dedication and leadership led him to become the 59th U.S. Secretary of the Navy under President Lyndon B. Johnson, making him the highest-ranking Armenian American in U.S. Government history. He also served in senior positions under Presidents John F. Kennedy and Johnson within the Department of Defense, where he oversaw critical advancements in national defense and naval modernization.

Beyond his government service, Ignatius was a respected leader in business, academia, and philanthropy. He remained deeply connected to his Armenian heritage and to Glendale, where he inspired generations through his humility, wisdom, and devotion to country and community.

"Paul Ignatius embodied the very best of Glendale: courage, integrity, and a lifelong commitment to service," stated Glendale Mayor Ara Najarian. "His story reminds us that greatness begins in our own neighborhoods, nurtured by community and purpose. The City of Glendale extends its deepest condolences to the Ignatius family and all who were inspired by his extraordinary life."

Mr. Ignatius's legacy endures through the countless lives he touched and the institutions that continue to benefit from his leadership and example. His name, now proudly displayed on the Glendale Post Office at 6444 San Fernando Road, stands as a permanent tribute to a man whose journey began right here in Glendale and whose impact reached across the nation.

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About Glendale
Known as the "Jewel City," Glendale is the fourth largest city of Los Angeles County. With a population of almost 200,000, Glendale is a thriving cosmopolitan city that is rich in history, culturally diverse, and offers nearly 50 public parks & facilities, with easy access to a municipal airport. It is the home to a vibrant business community, with major companies in healthcare, entertainment, manufacturing, retail, and banking. Visit GlendaleCA.gov for more information and follow us on social media @MyGlendale.