James A. Mousigian

James Albert Mousigian, age 65, recently of Astoria, New York, formerly a longtime resident of the San Francisco Bay Area, passed away on January 12, 2026. He was born on August 28, 1960 in Dearborn, Michigan, the son of Nahabed Albert and Emilia (Remenar) Mousigian.

James was a proud graduate of Edsel Ford High School in Dearborn, Michigan, class of 1978. After attending Baylor University in Texas for a short time, he continued his education in Tucson at the University of Arizona, earning a bachelor’s degree in Communication and Media Studies all while developing a passion for art, specifically through performance and spoken word. He took this passion to San Francisco, where he received a master’s degree in Arts from the San Francisco Art Institute.

During his time in Tucson and San Francisco, James practiced performance and conceptual art, creating and participating in numerous installations and acts throughout the years. He held a lifelong appreciation for modern art and found great joy in art house cinema. While living in San Francisco, he was a familiar face at the Castro Theatre, where he attended several films a week.

James’ love of performance shaped how he chose to live his life, including how he approached his professional work. At the time of his passing, he represented Fra’Mani Handcrafted Foods as East Coast Sales Manager and National Brand Ambassador. James, however, referred to himself as a “traveling salami salesman.” His role took him across the country, speaking and collaborating with chefs and specialty food distributors throughout the Midwest and East Coast. He was deeply passionate about the products he represented and cherished the relationships he made through Fra’Mani. James loved every part of his job.

Prior to joining Fra’Mani, James served as Director of Recreation at Clausen House in Oakland, California. Inspired by his brother Bob, James brought a compassionate and deeply personal perspective to his work with intellectually and developmentally disabled adults. He devoted himself to enriching the lives of residents, organizing extraordinary events and excursions that brought joy, dignity, and excitement to daily life. Each year, James coordinated and hosted a set of four, weeklong trips to Lake Tahoe, giving residents an unforgettable vacation filled with meaningful experiences. The residents adored him, and James worked tirelessly to ensure every detail was thoughtful, memorable, and truly special.

James was always in search of his next adventure and had a remarkable ability to find excitement and meaning in almost anything. He held a deep interest in political and social activism and believed in being actively involved in the causes he cared about. A devoted sports enthusiast, James was an especially passionate Michigan Wolverines fan and a loyal supporter of Detroit sports teams. He also loved to travel, and had the opportunity to teach English in Hungary, as well as explore China, Italy, Spain, and most recently London with his son Felix.

James often built connections with others through his love of food. He could be frequently found in artisanal cafés, bakeries, and restaurants across the cities where he lived and worked, sharing his appreciation for craftsmanship and quality with those around him. An accomplished cook and baker himself—though he would never acknowledge it—he loved devising grand dishes that catered to the interests of the people he loved. Using only choice ingredients, James loved adding a little twist to make everything he created one of a kind.

James deeply loved his family and treasured the time they spent together. He had a gift for making each person feel special and loved surprising and delighting them with thoughtful, often over-the-top gestures. Above all else, James’ greatest joy was being a dad. He was incredibly supportive of Felix and so proud of all his accomplishments. A compassionate and devoted father, James could be found on the sidelines at every one of his son’s soccer games and never missed the opportunity for an early morning road trip with his boy. He cherished each moment they shared and held the memories they created together close to his heart. Nothing in the world meant more to James than his son. James’ legacy will live on in the love and genuine joy he had for the people close to him, he will be deeply missed and forever remembered by all who were fortunate enough to know him.

James is survived by his loving son, Felix Mousigian; his mother, Emilia Mousigian; his siblings, Richard Mousigian, Carol Mousigian, and Judy (Neron) Nesmith; his nephew, Neson Nesmith; and his nieces, Lillian Mousigian and Evelyn Mousigian. He was preceded in death by his father, Nahabed Albert Mousigian and his brother, Robert Mousigian.

The Visitation will be held Friday, January 23, 2026 from 2:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. The Funeral Service will be held Saturday, January 24, 2026 at 11:30 a.m. with visitation beginning at 10:30 a.m. at Casterline Funeral Home, 122 West Dunlap Street, Northville, MI. A repast will follow at Alloush Grill, 37091 6 Mile Rd, Livonia, MI from 1:00pm to 3:00pm.

James’ family and friends will also plan on having a memorial ceremony in California at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate memorial contributions to Clausen House, 3323 Telegraph Ave., Oakland, CA 94609 or the American Civil Liberties Union, 125 Broad St., 18th Floor, New York, NY 10004.