Edward N. Nazaretian (“Ed Naz”) is remembered as a loyal friend, a reliable coworker and teammate, a welcoming and supportive mentor, a dedicated volunteer, and an all-around good guy with whom you enjoyed spending time. Whether you were a colleague, client or competitor; whether you were a long-time friend or new acquaintance; whether he saw you in the office, at a meeting, on the golf course or in the suite… Ed always greeted you with a warm handshake and that ready, infectious smile.
Ed is remembered as being happy – joyful – in every aspect of his life: family, work, friends, play. He was the proud father of Lisa Welch and Ted Nazaretian, grandfather of Vincent, Sam, Anthony, Alex and Katie, and much-loved (and very much missed) husband, brother, brother-in-law, father-in-law, uncle, cousin.
After graduating from Northeastern University in 1962 with a degree in civil engineering, Ed began his professional career with the City of Waltham. From there he worked for Hayden-Wegman (formerly Hayden Harding & Buchanan) and later joined CDM Smith, retiring in 2008.
Ed served with commitment and enthusiasm on several NEWEA committees, including Registration (Chair), Bylaws, and Website. He became NEWEA President in 1987, was a WEF Federation Director and served on two WEF Executive Committees. He received several NEWEA and WEF awards for his leadership and service and was a proud member of the Select Society of Sanitary Sludge Shovelers in both New England and New Jersey.
Ed also was an active member of the New England Water Works Association, the New England Chapter of American Public Works Association, and other local and regional organizations, including Engineers Week. He especially enjoyed being on the Reunion Committee for his Watertown High School Class of 1956. The description next to his senior class photo states: “buoyant, cheerful and friendly, devilish, carefree.” It’s no surprise to see that he was, among other things, a member of both the Junior Prom and the Hi-Y Victory Dance ticket committees.
If you attended a professional meeting or a social event, there was a good chance you would see Ed there. And there was a good chance you would hear more than one person call out “Hey Ed! Eddie Naz!”
The Edward N. Nazaretian Memorial Fund was established in September 2017 to honor Ed’s personal and professional contributions to NEWEA, and to support the mission and activities of the NEWEA Young Professionals Committee.
Ed believed the key to professional success is by networking with others in the water environment field and encouraging the participation of the next generation. Because today’s young professionals will be tomorrow’s leaders and mentors, the Ed Nazaretian Memorial Fund was established to provide financial support to NEWEA’s Young Professionals Committee.
If you would like to make a donation to the Ed Nazaretian Memorial Fund, please visit our
Donations page today. By making a contribution to NEWEA in Ed’s honor, you are investing in our region’s water quality and supporting the next generation of essential water workers.
