And even after losing his legs to diabetes, he remained active in the business by driving a hand-operated car and a scooter.

“He loved his life more than anything” said his son Mike Bajalia, adding that his father knew how to live even after he was dying.

He lived two years beyond doctors’ expectations, dying on his 69th birthday Feb. 7 after a long battle with colon cancer and diabetes. The former Westside resident had moved to Orange Park 15 years ago.

Born in New Haven, Conn., Mr. Bajalia moved to Jacksonville in 1945. He lettered in football and basketball at Robert E. Lee High School and followed his brothers and sisters into the grocery and food service business. When his older brother went off to fight in the Korean War, Mr. Bajalia left school to run his Saveway Banner Store on Stockton Street.

It was there that he met representatives of Sav-A-Stop, an Orange Park based company that distributed non-food items to grocery and convenience stores nationwide. He started in the warehouse and retired 32 years later as vice president in charge of convenience stores.

Mike Bajalia said his father became known across the country as “Mr. Convenience Store” because he was the contact person. He also had his own consulting business.

“He had a charisma about him,” Mike Bajalia said. “You could meet him in an airport while waiting for a plane and chat with him about your job and family. If you bumped into him five years later, he would remember you and treat you like a long-lost friend.”

Several years before his father’s retirement, Mike Bajalia said he and his father co-founded Sam’s St. Johns Seafood restaurants at Normandy Boulevard and Park Avenue in Orange Park, as well as three Ocala locations. Mr. Bajalia also opened Crystal River Seafood on Blanding Boulevard with his son Mike and other son Sam Jr.

Although he appreciated good food, his father’s forte was the business-not the cooking end-of the operation, Mike Bajalia said.

“I joked with him that he was so smart that he probably was the only person that could be successful in the restaurant business and not cook,” his son said.

When he lost his legs to diabetes in his 60’s Mr. Bajalia learned to drive a car with hand gears and continued going to his restaurants having lunch at one and dinner at the other.

Four years ago, he was diagnosed with colon cancer and faced a series of health crises. Despite his problems, he was an inspiration to others, said his daughter, Suzie Fellows. When his daughter-in-law, Amy gave birth to her last baby via Caesarian section, she found it difficult to get out of her hospital bed and walk, Fellows said. Then she saw Mr. Bajalia, baby gift in hand, riding his scooter down Baptist Medical Center’s corridors. When she asked what inspired him to make the effort, he told her he looked into the eyes of his loved ones and it “stuffs away” his pain.

Mr. Bajalia, a sports fan, died in his sleep after sending his five oldest grandchildren to the Super Bowl and then welcoming them back from the game.

He was a member of Mary Queen of Heaven Catholic Church in Chimney Lakes and was active in YMCA Sports.

In addition to his sons and daughter who live in Clay County, survivors include his wife of 50 years, Lavonia Bajalia; two brothers, Audi “Ed” and Joe Bajalia of Jacksonville, and three sisters, Helen Dudum of San Francisco and Lila Rukab and Vickie Samaan of Jacksonville. He also had eight grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.