Ralph Shabazian knew how to live a refined life of style and culture. He wasn’t flashy and never sought the limelight but he did live his life to its utter fullness. When he departed in January 2022, he left a gift that will allow him to share some of his passions with the Turlock community, even after his death.
Shabazian bequeathed a gift of more than $1 million that was left to the Carnegie Arts Center, the Friends of the Turlock Public Library, the Armenian Studies Program at Fresno State and the Armenian General Benevolent Union.
“He wanted to do this but I don’t think he thought of it as leaving a legacy, though that is what it is,” said his sister, Rosemary Selland. “He was very conservative with money and lived very frugally. He once said to me that, ‘money was to be respected and used wisely.’ That’s why he gave his money to those places that he felt would respect that much money. He wanted it to be used well.”
Shabazian grew up in Turlock and graduated from Turlock High in 1951, serving as the senior class president.
From a young age, Shabazian took a certain amount of pleasure in dressing with style.
“He just knew clothes,” Selland said. “He studied the fabrics and knew all of their qualities and how it would fit. He was always a smart, snappy dresser.”
Going to work at the Turlock Toggery, a men’s clothing store in downtown Turlock, was a natural fit for Shabazian, who started his employment at the shop in 1952.
“He was always a fashion plate,” said Bob Phillips, who worked with Shabazian at the Turlock Toggery. “You never saw Ralph when he wasn’t dressed properly, whether it was playing tennis or riding his bike or going to the opera. I’m sure he was properly dressed when he floated down the Colorado River in a raft.”
Phillips went to work at the Turlock Toggery when it was under the ownership of his father, Hugh Phillips, and later purchased the business when his father was ready to retire.
“Ralph taught me a lot of the business,” Bob Phillips said. “He had excellent taste. He knew the value of quality. He taught me a lot about fabrics and the proper fit.”
“When customers would come in, he’d put up his hand to show that he recognized them and he’d say ‘fifteen and a half and 32,’ said Alice Phillips, Bob’s wife. “That was their collar size and sleeve length. People got the biggest kick out of that — that he remembered them like they were best friends.”
Shabazian dressed Turlock’s residents until the store closed in 1988. He then went to work at Rossini’s Menswear, where he stayed until his retirement in 1998.
In addition to fashion, Shabazian was a well-read scholar, enjoyed trips abroad, was a regular attendee of the opera and delighted in playing tennis, cycling and taking white-water rafting trips.
“Ralph was a real Renaissance man. He could talk to people about so many different subjects and he would just charm everyone he met,” said Selland.
He also was a devout Ford man.
“Ralph never married,” Bob Phillips said. “He used to say he would chase the girls but they were always ‘too fast for him.’ But the only time I saw him truly heartbroken was when his 1949 Ford was stolen. He loved that car.”
Music was a central part of Shabazian’s life from a very young age.
“Every Saturday the Standard Oil Company would present the New York Metropolitan Opera company on the radio and that was something my parents would have on,” Selland said. “There was always music on in our home and Ralph became a fan of the opera at a very young age.”
To honor his love of music the Ralph Shabazian Trust is funding the new International Music Concert Series at the Carnegie Arts Center. The debut concert will be held at 6 p.m. on Feb. 24 for an evening of traditional Armenian music featuring the Kef Time Legacy Band. Comprising second and third-generation Armenian-Americans, the band is dedicated to showcasing traditional Armenian music from both Eastern and Western Armenia. Their commitment extends to preserving the musical heritage brought to America by survivors of the 1915 Armenian genocide.
“Ralph Shabazian’s generosity allows us to add an important element to the culturally diverse programs the CAC wants to share with the community and the region,” said CAC Director Lisa McDermott. “In honor of his family’s Armenian heritage, we’ve selected this wonderful group of musicians to perform the first concert in the new International Music Concert Series. We look forward to many more exciting concerts in the years to come.”
Advance tickets are available on CarnegieArtsTurlock.org (through Feb. 23): $15 General Admission; $10 CAC Member; $10 Student (with ID). At the door, tickets are: $20 General Admission; $15 CAC Member; $15 Student (with ID).
Shabazian cherished the Turlock Library and the resources it offered the public, especially the access to newspapers, both locally and from afar.
“Ralph went to the library almost every week,” Selland said. “He loved to go there. He would meet people there and made lasting friendships with them. He primarily went to read the newspapers. He had his own subscriptions to the Turlock Journal and the Modesto Bee, so he mostly went to read the San Francisco Chronicle and the Wall Street Journal and other newspapers. I know that over the years the library has had to drop some of those subscriptions because of money, but now thanks to Ralph’s donation, they’re back for people to read.”
The Friends of the Turlock Public Library has used Shabazian’s bequeath to them for several projects and needs, including newspaper subscriptions, a study room, signage and for their ongoing program The Library Presents. Shabazian’s gift is being used to bring author Chris Bohjalian to Turlock for an author presentation at 2 p.m. on April 6. Bohjalian is the author of “The Flight Attendant,” which was turned into a popular television show streaming on MAX. He has written more than 20 novels and his latest, “The Princess of Las Vegas” comes out March 19. Tickets for the presentation will be available starting Feb. 1. Check the Friends of the Turlock Public Library Facebook page for more information.
Shabazian’s parents both fled the Armenian genocide and immigrated to the United States. They instilled in all their children a deep respect and love for their heritage. It was something Shabazian cherished all his life as reflected in his parting gifts. His gift to Fresno State’s Armenian Studies Program funded the Ralph Shabazian Armenian Memorial Scholarship Fund.
“Ralph Shabazian’s generosity will provide for the growth of the Armenian Studies Program and for the awarding of additional Armenian studies scholarships,” said Barlow Der Mugrdechian, the Berberian Coordinator of Armenian Studies at Fresno State, in a news release. “Shabazian’s life is a testament to a person whose pride in his heritage led him to make a donation that will have a profound effect. The program is appreciative of this exceptional gift.”
His other gift went to the Armenian General Benevolent Union to support their ongoing work.
“Our father was a member of that organization,” Selland said. “They do all kinds of things to support refugees and the promotion of Armenian arts and culture and history. Ralph was never a member but he knew they do important work.”
In his life, among his family and friends, Shabazian rejoiced in sharing of his time and passions and now through his gifts those passions will leave their marks on generations to come.
