[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 159 (2013), Part 1]
[Senate]
[Pages 1153-1154]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                    REMEMBERING ROBERT S. TELLALIAN

  Mr. BLUMENTHAL. Mr. President, I rise today to pay tribute to Robert 
Tellalian--an attorney, community advocate, and beloved family member 
and friend, who brought joy to many in Connecticut. He was a true 
community leader in a very timeless, enduring way--wisely guiding civic 
organizations, unstintingly contributing time and energy, and 
enthusiastically giving of his great spirit and good humor.
  After helping the Goodwill of Western and Northern Connecticut to 
incorporate in 1951, Mr. Tellalian served on its board for many years. 
He also connected with Goodwill's clients and staff personally on the 
frontlines in quite another way. Donning a red suit and beard for the 
annual Goodwill Christmas party, he shared his good energy and holiday 
spirit with those who needed it the most--the poor and suffering and 
the Bridgeport employees who had seen it all. He was given Goodwill's 
Leadership Award in 2011. And, as if he had planned it, he passed away 
this past year on Christmas Day at age 91.
  He earned a Soldier's Medal for Valor in World War II, fighting at 
the Battle of the Bulge in the Army's 10th Armored Division, but 
instead, chose to be remembered through seemingly minor but extremely 
meaningful gestures of kindness and personal connection.
  Mr. Tellalian was born in New Haven and raised in Bridgeport. After 
attending Yale University and the University of Connecticut School of 
Law, he along with his brother, Judge Aram H. Tellalian, Jr., founded 
the firm, Tellalian & Tellalian. The Tellalian's firm was a fixture in 
Bridgeport, and Robert practiced family and estate law for his entire 
career. The firm later moved to Trumbull, where Mr. Tellalian continued 
his involvement. This fact and many others demonstrate his uncommon 
dedication to tradition, intense loyalty for his community and the 
practice of law, and strong, authentic relationship with his brother 
and countless loved ones.
  Throughout his life, he was intensely involved in a number of 
charities and local organizations throughout Connecticut, especially in 
Bridgeport and Easton. In addition to the Goodwill of Western and 
Northern Connecticut, he was an active member of the Yale Club of 
Eastern Fairfield County, the Bridgeport Area Foundation, and the 
United Way. He also served as the secretary of the Easton Senior Center 
Board of Directors and the president of the Council of Churches of 
Greater Bridgeport.
  Aside from his tremendous contributions to charity and community, Mr. 
Tellalian would most like to be remembered, I believe, for his love of 
music. He had great pride for the Greater Bridgeport Symphony and the 
joy it added to Connecticut. He was a man who, in his role of chairman 
of the board, would greet patrons in the lobby of the concert hall for 
decades. One time, when interviewed by the Connecticut Post, he 
commented that the opportunity to guest-conduct the Symphony was ``the 
biggest thrill of [his] life.'' Additionally, he was an avid acapella 
singer, and treasured the memories he made with his barbershop 
quartet--the Eastonaires--with whom he performed throughout the State 
and country, even on the White House lawn during a Fourth of July 
picnic hosted

[[Page 1154]]

by President and Nancy Reagan. And, for more than 50 years, he sang in 
the church choir--most recently for the United Congregational Church in 
Bridgeport--where he and his wife, Jean, who died this past November, 
were longtime congregants and celebrated their 60th wedding 
anniversary.
  Last month, the United Congregational Church hosted a musical 
memorial service for Mr. Tellalian. Almost 100 singers and 
instrumentalists gathered from around the region to volunteer their 
time in tribute to a man they loved.
  Robert Tellalian was generous of spirit and filled with compassion, 
dedicating much of his life to the happiness of others. He loved life, 
and lifted others up.
  Today, I invite my colleagues to honor the life of a man who will be 
deeply missed, but whose spirit of kinship will live on in all he 
touched.

                          ____________________