Ali Daneshmand

Ali Daneshmand, 100 of Worcester, passed away peacefully on Saturday, May 23, 2020, in his home while surrounded by his devotedly loving family.

Ali was born in Shahrood, Iran, on October 26, 1919, to his mother, Hamideh Hossaney, and his father, Taghi Daneshmand- a prominent France-educated attorney who was the chief legal counsel and a friend to Reza Shah, the founder of the Pahlavi dynasty. Ali was a passionate life-long learner and honor student who loved to study various cultures, languages, and disparate subjects. He was the quintessential gentleman in every sense of the word who had also mastered five major languages. A rarity amongst his peers, he was always very sharp, kind, considerate, warm-hearted, respectful, and wise. His multidisciplinary academic accomplishments included a Ph.D. in Economics and Industrial Accounting. He was a tenured Professor of Economics, Mathematical Optimization, and Industrial Accounting at The University of Tehran. While a professor there, he ran for public office and was elected to the Iranian Parliament (House of Representatives or Majlis), however, he simultaneously carried a reduced course load at the university. While in congress, he successively served as the chairman of the Finance and Budget Committees. After a number of terms in his elected roles, he served as the undersecretary (Vice-Minister) to Iran’s Agriculture, as well as, Cooperative Commerce Secretaries, subsequent to which he became an Advisory Secretary on the cabinet of Prime Minister Hovayda, during Shah's regime.

Ali fell in love with the United States when he first visited the country on an extended diplomatic mission, as an official guest of the federal government, in 1959. He later followed his sons and immigrated to the US in 1979. With his usual dedication and hard work, Ali similarly achieved considerable success in his adopted homeland that he deeply loved and where he lived the American dream to his final day.

Ali was a truly devoted husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, and loyal friend to many who will dearly miss his typically very gentle, calming, supportive, and enlightened influence. Other than people, he especially loved animals and nature. He often enjoyed watching National Geographic and other TV shows that depicted nature and the animal kingdom.

Ali is survived by his wife of 29 years, Seyedeh (Mousavi) Daneshmand; his six children, Shauna (and husband Mansur), Mahin, Max, Ray (and wife Homa), Afshin (and wife Elizabeth), and Orchid (and husband Russell), who reside in California and Massachusetts; his sister, Nasrin, and two brothers, Mehdi and Houssein who reside in California; seven grandchildren, Ellie (and husband Tim), Gigi (and husband Koroush), Arie (and husband Emad), Runak, Joseph (and wife Sandra), Paemon (and wife Tiffany), and Shayan, and; eight great-grandchildren, Layla, Sarah, Ryan, Mila, Awan, Dillan, Dante, and Darius, as well as; many nieces and nephews. Ali is predeceased by his beloved parents; his first wife, Afsar; his second wife, Ezzat; his brother, Asghar, and his four sisters: Zahra, Batoul, Mehree, and Maleheh.

Respectfully, services for Ali will be held privately. MERCADANTE FUNERAL HOME & CHAPEL, 370 Plantation St., Worcester is honored to be assisting the family with arrangements.