Shant Garibyan, a long-time resident of Langley, passed away July 14, 2016, at Whidbey General Hospital after a hard-fought battle with cancer.

Born Sept. 15, 1954, in Istanbul, Turkey, to Armenian parents Yervant and Ruziye, Shant was the younger of two sons. He attended a French Catholic school and spent summers on the Princess Islands.

After his relatives helped him move to California in 1973, Shant worked in human resources at their growing company, Western Waste Industries.

A trip to visit friends on Whidbey Island resulted in the purchase of a small storefront in Langley in 1981. In 1988, Shant and his brother moved to Whidbey and opened their Mediterranean restaurant, Café Langley. After meeting his Minnesotan wife on a vacation in Mexico, she moved to Whidbey in 1994 and they married on July 4, 1996. They have one daughter who was the light of his life. The family established a small farm and enjoyed their gardens and animals including a llama, pygora goats, chickens, ducks and dogs.

Shant loved nothing more than being with his family and friends. He also loved cooking, hosting dinners, traveling, photography, painting, spending time at Lake Tyee and in Leavenworth, and Whidbey events, especially the county fair. He was proud of his Armenian heritage and valued faith and family above all.

He will be remembered for his strength, sense of humor, adventurous spirit, warmth, and generosity. He was a caring friend, devoted husband, wonderful father, brother and uncle, and an overall good man. He lived his faith through his generous and compassionate spirit and acts of love.

Shant is survived by his wife Carrie McLachlan; daughter Amara Garibyan; brother Arshavir (Archie); nephew Agop (Jake); niece Katya; and numerous McLachlan family members and Californian relatives. He is preceded in death by his parents.

A service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, July 23, at the South Whidbey Assembly of God in Langley, followed by a graveside ceremony at Langley Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Cancer Care Program at Whidbey General Hospital or for prostate cancer research at Seattle Cancer Care Alliance.