Soghomon (Sol) Kosrof Chooljian
Camarillo, California
Sol and his wit, sense of fun, loyalty and compassion left us on July 31, 2026 at nearly 91 years of age.
Born in Haverhill, Massachusetts on October 24, 1935 and raised in nearby Brookline, Sol’s love of practical jokes, laughter, and friendships shone through at an early age. His time working in his family’s small grocery store and soda fountain as a child provided a lifetime of anecdotes and a love of well-scooped ice cream. A first-generation American citizen, his parents separately escaped the Armenian genocide before making their way to this country, meeting each other, and raising Sol and his two sisters near family on the East Coast.
Sol arrived in California following his graduation from high school, driving across the country (with no A/C) with his mother and younger sister Zabelle to reunite with his father and older sister Anjel who had earlier moved to the Los Angeles area. Sol worked in the grocery business to put himself through school, graduating from UCLA with a B.S. in Business in 1957 (which they thereafter stopped awarding, but he swore it was not because of him). Sol solidified his Bruin affiliation with an MBA from UCLA in 1963 and was a lifelong supporter and volunteer, including membership in UCLA Blue Shield, Chancellor’s Associates, a founder of the UCLA Anderson School Alumni Group, and spent countless hours cheering for Bruin sports. Sol’s career experience included the US Airforce and US Army Reserves, Hughes Aircraft Co., and management consulting with a focus on business application software.
After meeting Laura McAvoy, they married and he moved to her native Ventura County, where Sol would spend their nearly 51-year marriage developing deep ties to the community and expanding his knowledge of citrus trees, irrigation, animal husbandry, including horse manure shoveling, and a general love of the area he would call home for the majority of his life. Sol served his community, devoting 25+ years to the board of directors of the Boys & Girls Club of Camarillo, 28 years on the board of the Crestview Mutual Water Company, with 24 years of that as President, and over 40 years as a spirited bid spotter in the ring of the Ventura County Fair Junior Livestock Auction. Sol cared deeply for the education and welfare of the community’s children. After an unwavering fifteen-year commitment which included collaborating to create a winning political strategy, the new high school Rancho Campana became a vibrant reality for Ventura County, incorporating his insights and contributions as to a STEAM focus, the architecture and even the location. Sol was recognized for his volunteer efforts by the Pleasant Valley Historical Society as a “Don,” by the Boys & Girls Club of Camarillo with the Joel McCrea Award and alongside Laura, the Joel McCrea Service to Youth Award, the Milton Teague Award by the United Way of Ventura County, and the Spirit of Philanthropy Award by St. John’s Foundation.
Sol’s love of his family was unparalleled. His journey to fatherhood began with the birth of the (amazingly talented) Susan Chooljian during his marriage to Dorothy Maseredjian. Susan was later joined by his (brilliant) son Dr. David McAvoy Chooljian and his (perfect youngest) daughter Laura McAvoy Chooljian from his marriage to Laura. A man of many talents, Sol was an expert omelet maker, famously recreated his 1977 Ventura County Fair lemon meringue pie contest winning recipe at annual family Thanksgivings, and even occasionally showcased the skills he developed as a doumbek drummer in an Armenian music belly dance band in his younger days. Sol and Laura were amazing partners in life, celebrating family through travel, hosting family events, bike rides, Pink Panther movie nights, and trips to the Hollywood Bowl. Sol and David carried on a beloved tradition of annual fishing trips with longtime friend Zack Mouradian.
Sol delighted in speaking to every stranger he passed, especially enjoying sharing his grocery experience with store clerks. Married to a die-hard Dodger fan in Laura, Sol could be found wandering the stadium to connect with his “friends” - the various stadium employees who never knew his name, but who always remembered his smile. The family has been heartened by the fond memories shared by people who to others would seem to be strangers but who felt the warmth of Sol’s jokes and stories, showcasing the power of human connection. Laughter was important to Sol and was typically part of an interaction with him, bubbling up before he could even deliver his own corny joke or retelling of a familiar story. Almost equally as important was having a clean windshield, and cleaning those of visitors before they left the house was an expression of his love. He loved this country and hated gophers and ground squirrels.
Sol is survived by his wife, Laura McAvoy, and his children, Susan, David and Laura Chooljian, and many dear extended family. The family would like to thank all of the friends, family and Livingston Visiting Nurses Association caregivers, nurses, and other healthcare professionals who assisted at the end of Sol’s life. In lieu of flowers, please consider supporting the Boys & Girls Club of Camarillo, Livingston Memorial Visiting Nurse Association & Hospice, or another charity near to your heart in his memory. The family will honor Sol at a celebration of life at Las Posas Country Club on August 21st at 11:30 am. Until that time, we encourage you to tell a joke to a stranger or raise a banana split in his honor.
Arrangements are under the direction of the BOYKO & REARDON TELEGRAPH ROAD MORTUARY & CREMATION, Ventura.