This year our family – the Basralian Family — decided to sell our home at Seacrest Beach. It was perhaps one of the most difficult decisions our family has had to make because of our very long and special connection to Seacrest Beach.
In 1952, our father, Joseph Basralian, and two close friends, Louis Cartnick and John Murray purchased land from the Ocean to the Bay and created Seacrest Beach (thus, Basra, Cart, and Murray Lanes). For two years our families occupied the three old homes on the property before they were demolished to build Seacrest Beach homes. Our home was built in 1953 and we occupied it since 1954. Next to our house was the Banyar’s, then the Murray’s, and the Cartnick’s. The four families enjoyed so many happy times together – so much so that we had walkways built between our decks!
We all made friends at Seacrest. This was the time when families spent the summers – from June through Labor Day at the shore. We all had our summer friends at Seacrest, a few of whom are still at Seacrest. We are a large family so with six kids, our friendships ran the age span of many years. There are too many good friends to name, but each person was a part of our formative years. We treasure these friendships!
The three Seacrest founders had the vision to make this small beach a retreat for their families and others, to enjoy the summers at the ocean. It was a big vision in 1952 yet the force of their dreams has led all of us – our families and yours – to this very special stretch of land. New friendships were forged and a tremendous love of the ocean and ‘beach way of life’ has been and will continue to be experienced.
Our family’s memories started in 1952 with sand dunes which seemed 100 feet high to small kids as we jumped from the roofs of the three big old homes on the beach to the tops of the dunes and then slid down, laughing as we gathered sand all over our bodies. It was an enchanted time – with many adventures to be experienced. It is these moments that we will take with us – and the very special understanding that dreams are possible when you believe in them. It is what was forged, what we have all lived and what each of you will continue living. Just looking at the pictures on the SBC website one can see that good times are bountiful!
As we write, we know all of you have had similar adventures and feelings for Seacrest. We have met people from all over the world who knew Seacrest Beach. Just recently, Kevin, the youngest of us six siblings, was in the Philippines on a medical mission and met another doctor who used to swim on our beach. Amazing! The world becomes smaller when you meet people who have been touched by your little beach community.
And, that brings us to today. We will not be at Seacrest physically – but forever, to the six Basralian children of Joseph and Evelyn Basralian – the second-generation at Seacrest, our spouses, our children (17 – 3rd generation Seacrest kids) and their children (24 – 4th generation kids) our hearts and souls are connected to Seacrest Beach.
All of us six siblings still remember the many discussions our parents had with the Cartnicks and Murrays as they developed the land, the times we sat on the beach with our friends, idling tanning and surfing, the warmth of a community — to the 4th of July fireworks and block Bar-B-Qs. One can’t even begin to recount the memories – there are just too many over the last 72 years – but they are there and they will continue to bring us joy!
We know that Seacrest will continue to thrive because each person who lives here knows that Seacrest Beach is a unique place. We wish you all many years of happy Seacrest times, creating your forever memories.
We thank you for sharing our history, and to those in the past and to those now and in the future who take care of this wonderful place, we are most appreciative of your stewardship. Truly, Seacrest Beach is bit of heaven on earth and life is sweeter because we have lived here.
We know our paths will cross again and until then, our best wishes to all the Seacrest families from our family.
With warmest regards,
Peter Basralian, Joseph Basralian, Evelyn Basralian Ambrose, Karen Basralian Topjian, Gary Basralian and Kevin Basralian