Nazeah Aladray

A longtime resident of San Diego, Nazeah was the youngest of four children born to Kamal and Nazmia (Kadray) Aladray, who preceded him in death along with his brothers Fuad (“Fred”) and Adnan (“Eddie”) and sister Mary. Born in Dearborn, Mich., Nazeah attended Salina Elementary and Fordson High Schools, where he excelled at football and basketball. While at Fordson High, at age 16, Nazeah joined Ford Motor Co. and worked on an assembly line before graduating in 1952.

In 1953, the U.S. Army drafted Nazeah, who trained as a medic and worked in a dispensary during the Korean War. After his discharge in 1955, Nazeah returned to Dearborn and worked in his father’s grocery store and, later, as a sales rep for Carstairs Distilling Co.

On Oct. 20, 1962, Nazeah married the love of his life, Josephine Iaquinta, who he’d met while both attended Fordson High. An entrepreneur at heart, Nazeah soon opened the Palomar Bar and, a few years later, The Odyssey Lounge, both popular neighborhood bars in Dearborn. In 1971, Nazeah and Josephine moved to San Diego along with their three young daughters, Renda, Deena and Nadia, and Josephine’s mother, Rose.

To many in San Diego, Nazeah was known as a retailing icon and namesake of the popular Aladray’s A.N.A. appliance warehouse he co-founded in the early 1970’s with his brother Adnan. Located in the Mission Gorge area, Aladray’s A.N.A. pioneered the superstore concept and stocked a wide-ranging inventory of affordable, quality products. A decade later, Nazeah and Josephine opened a second superstore in nearby Encinitas, 3-D Photo & Appliance Center, which they lovingly named for their three daughters.

Throughout his long and successful career, Nazeah’s vibrant personality and infectious humor endeared him to legions of customers and neighbors, many of whom also benefited from his kind heart, generosity and philanthropic support.

When it came to family, business associates, the community, even sports teams, loyalty was a hallmark of Nazeah’s personality. He was a lifelong fan of the University of Michigan, as well as San Diego’s Padres and Chargers. Nazeah was especially proud of the decades-long close friendship he had with former heavyweight boxing champion Muhammad Ali, who he first met after a fight in San Diego in the 1970’s. He also enjoyed dancing, singing and sharing jingles with friends and strangers alike. Along with Josephine, and often their daughters, Nazeah traveled the world. Among his favorite adventures were trips to China, Japan, Brazil, Italy, the Middle East, Caribbean, Mexican Riviera, Africa, Germany and Switzerland. He especially enjoyed visiting his country of origin, Lebanon.

Although his life included a long list of adventures and business accomplishments, Nazeah was most proud of his loving family. He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Josephine; daughters Renda Luscomb (Brian) and her children Sophia, Stephen and Olivia Quinn and stepdaughter Lillian Luscomb; Deena Holcomb (Greg) and their children Harry, Dominic and Fiori; and Nadia Pandes (Vince) and their daughters Malia and Siena. Other survivors include sister-in-law Marlene Aladray and countless nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

A memorial service for Nazeah was held on April 28, 2021, at El Camino Memorial Park in Sorrento Valley. To honor Nazeah’s life, please consider a donation to the Parkinson’s Foundation.