ROTARY RAISING FUNDS FOR FAMILY.

Byline: ERIC LEACH Staff Writer

SIMI VALLEY -- Earlier this year, Patti Kalayji died, leaving her college-age daughters without a mother.

Late last month, her husband Paul died, leaving the women without a father.

Now, seeing a need to help Michelle and Lisa pay their way through college, the Rotary Club of Simi Sunrise, where Paul Kalayji was an active member, has set up a fund.

Gary Stewart, the club's president, said when his 130 members learned of Paul Kalayji's death from a heart attack, nearly all of them called wanting to help the daughters.

``Paul had been with our club for 11 years, and we've all worked very hard together,'' Stewart said. ``He was like a member of our family.''

Michelle, 21, and Lisa, 22, are taking time off from college after losing their parents, but hope to continue their education soon.

Michelle has been majoring in radiologic technology in a pre-medicine program at California State University, Northridge, and Lisa is majoring in philosophy at California Lutheran University.

``I've always loved medicine and I promised my dad I'm going to medical school, so I'm going,'' Michelle said. ``I can't wait to go back to school.''

``We appreciated it immensely,'' she said of the Rotary Club's efforts to help. ``They have been so supportive.''

The Kalayjis had lived in Simi Valley since 1980, where Paul, 52, followed his family tradition of jewelers. He was of Armenian descent and born in Damascus, Syria, the third of five brothers.

For the past 13 years he owned and operated Marquis Jewelers at Los Angeles Avenue and Galt Street, where he designed, created and repaired jewelry for hundreds of customers.

``When he lost his wife, I don't think he ever got over it,'' said Kalayji's friend, Dr. Herschel Berger, a dentist who had known him for years.

``We were very close friends. Paul was a beautiful human being with a big, generous heart. He loved his wife. He loved his daughters. He was a giving person who cared about others and was involved in the community.

``He was beyond a jeweler. He was a master craftsman.''

He loved life in Southern California, golf, cars, beaches and taking road trips up and down the coast with his family, friends and relatives said.

``They were truly wonderful parents,'' Michelle said. ``My dad said he could never imagine living anywhere else but Simi Valley. He loved it here.''

Rotary Club officials said people who wish to contribute can send checks to the Simi Valley Community Foundation/Kalayji at 40 W. Cochran St., #100, Simi Valley, 93065. For more information, call Jessica McCormick at [phone].

eric.leach(at)dailynews.com

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CAPTION(S):

2 photos

Photo:

(1 -- color) PAUL KALAYJI

(2) The Rotary Club of Simi Sunrise has created a memorial fund for the family of Paul Kalayji, who recently died.