March 8, 1959 - March 4, 2025
Palmetto, Florida - Siamak Mollanazar, lovingly known as Sia, passed away unexpectedly on March 4, 2025, at the age of 65 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. His passing leaves an immeasurable void in the hearts of those who knew and loved him.
Born in Tehran, Iran, to Habib and Forough (Beigum Mohajerjasbi) Mollanazar, Sia was a beacon of resilience, generosity, and unwavering love for his family. In the summer of 1976, at just 17 years old, he embarked on a journey that would forever change the course of his life, he moved to California to attend college with plans to study engineering and eventually return to Iran to run his father's construction company.
However, fate had other plans. In 1978, during his sophomore year, the Iranian Revolution disrupted his dreams, leaving him with an impossible choice: return to a homeland where he would face persecution for his faith, or carve out a new future in an unfamiliar land and pursue the American Dream. With courage and determination, Sia chose to stay in the United States, moving to Tampa, Florida, where he started over from scratch living with his cousins, Fred and Farrah, while working multiple jobs to support himself through school.
It was in Tampa, in 1979, that he met the love of his life, Barbara Valdes. They married soon after, creating a beautiful life together over 45 years. They built their dream home on the water on Snead Island with panoramic views of Terra Ceia Bay. For over 35 years they hosted their immediate and extended families for Christmas Eve festivities, sometimes entertaining over 50 guests. Sia always did the cooking and Barbara the décor. Their greatest joys were their two children, Nicholas and Andy, whom they raised with love, integrity, and a strong sense of family. In 1984, Sia introduced his brother, Qoomars, to Barbara's sister, Leandra, they also married and had two of their own children, Alexandra and Mikela. The eight of them were inseparable.
Despite the challenges he faced as an immigrant, Sia never wavered in his pursuit of success. In 1985, he graduated from the University of South Florida, earning a Bachelor of Science in Engineering. That same year, he joined the Department of Public Works in Manatee County, where his dedication and expertise led him to serve as Deputy Director of Engineering Services before his retirement in 2020. Over his 35-year career, Sia played a pivotal role in the development and growth of Manatee County, he knew the location of every road, bridge, and storm water facility by memory. Even after retirement, friends and colleagues frequently called him for counsel.
Beyond his career, Sia was a man of boundless generosity and devotion. He and Barbara played an instrumental role in helping his siblings and parents immigrate to America, ensuring that his family had the opportunities he worked so hard to secure. When asked if Sia ever missed his homeland of Iran, Sia would respond that America is his home.
In retirement, Sia and Barbara spent cherished time with their children, living months out of every year with Nicholas and his husband, Ryan Brown, in Philadelphia. Weekends were often spent exploring the city or working on home projects together. He found joy in the simplest moments cooking meals for his family, traveling, gardening and above all, being surrounded by those he loved. He was the kind of person who always put others before himself, offering his time, wisdom, and kindness without hesitation. His presence was a source of strength, comfort, and warmth to everyone who had the privilege of knowing him.
Sia is survived by his beloved wife, Barbara; his children, Nicholas (Ryan) Mollanazar and Andy Mollanazar; his siblings, Qoomars (Leandra) Mollanazar, Faranak (Mike) Doustani, and Farzaneh (Kiumars) Paliehvash, brother-in-law Nelson Valdes; numerous cousins, including Fred (Karen) Golpa and Farrah (Bijan) Golpayegani; as well as his cherished nieces and nephews: Alexandra (Raymond), Mikela, Delaney (Riley), Jordan (Simon), Pariya (Scott), Pedram (Evelyn), Parastoo (Ricardo), Sasha (Sogol), Nima (Savannah), Diba, Pegah, Tyler and Dustin and great nephews and nieces, Raymond, Ryan, Liam, Sonia, Lilly, and Sebastian. He was a devoted husband, father, brother, uncle, cousin and friend whose love knew no bounds.
Though he is no longer physically with us, Sia's spirit and legacy of kindness, resilience, and selflessness will continue to live on in the lives he touched. His story is one of perseverance, love, and an unshakable dedication to family, one that will be remembered and honored for generations to come.
A visitation for Siamak will be held Friday, March 21, 2025 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. followed by a eulogy from 7:00 to 7:30 at Blount & Curry Funeral Home at Garden of Memories (4207 E LAKE AVE, TAMPA, FL 33610). A religious funeral service will occur Saturday, March 22, 2025 from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. (4207 E LAKE AVE, TAMPA, FL 33610) and a committal service will occur Saturday, March 22, 2025 from 3:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Myrtle Hill Memorial Park (4252 E M.L.K. Jr Blvd, Tampa, FL 33610). For further information, please contact Blount & Curry Funeral Home at Garden of Memories at telephone: (813) 626-3161.
