Zaffar Hassanally

January 31, 1943 — July 1, 2025

Zaffar Hassanally, beloved husband, father, grandfather, son, brother, and respected community member, passed away peacefully at his home on July 1, 2025, at the age of 82. A longtime resident of Rolling Hills, Zaffar was known for his business acumen, charming disposition, infectious laugh, and loving devotion to his family.

Zaffar was born on January 31, 1943, in Karachi, Pakistan, to Mazar and Meher Hassanally. He attended local schools in Karachi before courageously moving to the United States at the age of 19 to pursue higher education. Zaffar studied aeronautical engineering at Northrop Institute of Technology and later earned his MBA from Pepperdine University.

His professional journey began with Continental Airlines, where he quickly rose through the ranks into management. He eventually transitioned into real estate and founded his own successful company, Real Estate Connection. Over his lifetime, Zaffar became a respected force in the South Bay real-estate industry, known for his leadership, generosity, and steadfast dedication to both his work and his loved ones. He left a lasting impact on all who knew him.

In his downtime, Zaffar enjoyed reading, discussing politics, and traveling. He especially cherished time spent with his wife in Kauai. A passionate tennis player, he loved attending tennis matches both locally and around the world. He was an active member of the Rotary Club, served on the YMCA Board and the Rolling Hills Tennis Board, and was a founding member of the Islamic Center of South Bay.

Zaffar was kind, patient, self-assured, and always a gentleman. He was a sweet and loving father and grandfather. His life reflected strong values and morals that he passed down to his children and grandchildren—values such as honesty, kindness, perseverance, and the importance of education.

Zaffar is survived by his loving wife, Teresa Hassanally, and his three daughters: Alya (Chris) Lucas, Nadia (Joseph) Damm, and Leila (Kevin) Gilland. He was a proud grandfather to six grandchildren: Christopher Lucas, Ashley Hawley, Maya Damm, Jackson Damm, Alyssa Damm, and Hazel Gilland. He also leaves behind his mother, Meher Hassanally; his brother, Siraj Hassanally; and sisters, Fowzia Taqi, Azra Hassanally, and Qamar Murtaza. He was preceded in death by his father, Mazar Hassanally, and the mother of his three children, Claudia Hassanally.

A memorial service to honor Zaffar’s life will be held on Saturday, August 23, at 2:30 PM at The Chapel at Green Hills Memorial Park, located at 27501 S. Western Avenue, Rancho Palos Verdes, CA 90275. A reception will follow the service.

God is merciful and just; His compassion knows no end.

— Psalm 116:5 (Bible)

— Surah Al-A’raf 7:156; Surah An-Nisa 4:40 (Qur’an)

*In lieu of flowers, there will be an opportunity at the event to share. Thank you for your love and support.