Tony Hasratian, 86, of Ogden, passed away peacefully on June 7th, 2025. Tony was born on May 6th, 1939, to Ovhaness and Arpenik (née Vartanian) Hasratian in Tehran, Iran. He immigrated to the United States, arriving here on July 31st, 1959, to pursue the American Dream. After Tony graduated from Logan High School, he married Paula (née Yeoman) Hasratian on March 7th 1962, and they remained together for 63 years. After working in various capacities as a cook and chef, Tony founded, together with Paula, Chef Tony's original El Matador Restaurante and Cantina in Ogden in 1963, which served Mexican cuisine to local, national, and global food audiences for generations.

Tony and Paula had four beloved children: David, Madia, Jennifer, and Avak; and one beloved grandson: Christopher. Tony had a special bond with and commitment to each one of them, which he expressed through a unique combination of his Armenian background, including his Armenian Apostolic and Catholic faith; his unwavering love of food; the joy he took in travelling with and exposing them to various foodways across the United States and Western Europe; and his dedication to American exceptionalism and its promise.

He proudly displayed, on the wall of his custom cigar bar, a treasured framed photograph of himself with Ronald Reagan coupled with an official invitation to Reagan's first inauguration on January 20th, 1981. Until his last moment on Earth, Tony gave a lifetime of love to his wife, children, grandson, friends, faith, and country. An avid enthusiast of American military history--especially of World War II, about which he taught his grandson--Tony always supported local police, and was given the title of "Honorary Sheriff" by the Weber County Sheriff's Department, complete with a badge and hat, both of which he kept and wore with a mix of pride and humility.

And while he never officially retired, he spent decades enjoying his collection of Cuban cigars and rare spirits with good friends, and eating at fine dining establishments in Las Vegas with his wife, with whom he cherished that city and its character, which very much resembled his own. He is in God's good company, puffing on a hand-rolled Havana while sipping two fingers of Louis XIII from a snifter, wearing his late father's maroon cable knit vest, relaxing in a wingback leather classic Club Chair with nailhead trim, listening to Louis Armstrong and Nat King Cole, watching John Wayne Westerns, anything with Marilyn Monroe, and, his favorite, Humphrey Bogart in Casablanca: Here's looking at you, Baba.

Tony Hasratian was predeceased by his elder sister, Flora Janet Hasratian; by his younger brother, Artoosh Hasratian; and by the Shih Tzu on whom he doted, JinJi Hasratian. Tony is survived by his wife, Paula Hasratian; his son, David (Carol) Hasratian; his daughter, Madia Hasratian; his daughter, Jennifer Hasratian; his son, Avak Hasratian (Christopher Verola); his grandson, Christopher Hasratian; his and Paula's unofficially adopted son, Jaden Truman; and his niece, Mitra Hakimnia.

Tony's family wishes to acknowledge and give special thanks to his best friend, a true brother to him: Jimmy Yerage; two other "brothers," Doctors David Brodstein and Rob Mohr; his Las Vegas buddy, "T;" his priest and spiritual guide, Father Charles Cummins; and Jesse, his favorite hospice nurse.

A viewing will be held on Friday, June 20th, from 6pm to 9pm at Leavitt's Mortuary at 836 36th St. Ogden, UT, 84403. A celebration of life will take place at a later date at Leavitt's Mortuary.