SCHENECTADY — The well-known owner of the Pizza King restaurant across from City Hall has died.
Djovalin "John" Camaj, reknowned for his dustups with the Schenectady County Metroplex Development Authority over its decision five years ago to move his pizzeria from State Street to Jay Street, died from an apparent suicide in his home Sunday, city police confirmed.
The normally busy eatery was closed Monday.
Metroplex made Camaj move so it could gut and renovate 469 State St. and several neighboring buildings. In 2007, after much debate with Camaj, Metroplex agreed to make up the difference between Camaj's $1,400-a-month lease and any increased rent at the new location, which ended up being across from City Hall and the Open Door Bookstore.
"I guess that I won, but I lost my dream," Camaj told the Times Union story at the time, "because to own and preserve the property and my business here is what I dream about."
Optimists close their eyes and pretend problems are non existent. Better to have open eyes, see the truths, acknowledge the negatives, and speak up for the people rather than the politicos and their rich cronies.
"I guess that I won, but I lost my dream," Camaj told the Times Union story at the time, "because to own and preserve the property and my business here is what I dream about."
Metroplex and DEATH RAY drove the man to commit suicide by harassing him and destroying his business. Very sad. I am sure they have no remorse.
"While Foreign Terrorists were plotting to murder and maim using homemade bombs in Boston, Democrap officials in Washington DC, Albany and here were busy watching ME and other law abiding American Citizens who are gun owners and taxpayers, in an effort to blame the nation's lack of security on US so that they could have a political scapegoat."
This is heartbreaking. I know that one of his family members was desperately seeking help for him and getting nowhere. May he rest in peace.
As for those who persecuted him, that includes the lying, lazy slob who bilked Schenectadians for a health "scare" so he could sit around while another was paid to do his work. Stand up and take a bow, if it isn't too much effort. They all deserve to burn in Hell for what they put Mr. Camaj through. They told bald-faced lies about him to the newspapers, as they did with the minority business owner whose property they purchased for the new Bethesda House. They couldn't stand to have too many hard working businessmen around showing them up, evidently. I don't mean to sully Mr. Camaj's good name by mentioning these swine, but the paper referred to a "dust-up" with the downtown bunch and I feel that the record must be set straight. Mr. Camaj was completely unaware of what was in store for him. Those who stated otherwise were lying. What vile human beings.
Since it wasn't one of the plex political cronies, DV's response will be the pizza wasn't any good
Optimists close their eyes and pretend problems are non existent. Better to have open eyes, see the truths, acknowledge the negatives, and speak up for the people rather than the politicos and their rich cronies.
And the city's concern is smoking in public areas, fees for the rose garden and taking over foreclosed houses when they can't even maintain there "own" house. Too hell with the hardworking homeowners and small business owners, just keep spending OUR money downtown.
Madam X I'm assuming you knew him or his family well, my condolences : (
Djovalin Jon Camaj ColonieDjovalin Jon Camaj, 60, of Booth Street, died Sunday, August 19, 2012. Jon was born in Montenegro to Lula Ivezic Camaj and the late Toma Camaj. Jon came to America in 1969 and had lived in Colonie since 1984. He was the owner of Pizza King on Jay Street in Schenectady. He started the business in 1998. Jon loved attending Mass at the Auriesville Shrine and had a special devotion to St. Kateri Tekakwitha. In addition to his mother, who lives in Albania, he is survived by his wife of 30 years, Joyce Camaj; three children, Rosa Camaj, Joyia Camaj and Gina Camaj; one granddaughter, Joviana Camaj; two step-daughters, Tami, Tania and their children; four siblings, Pashko Camaj, Viktor Camaj, Victoria Gelaj and Rita Nimali. He is also survived by several nieces and nephews. Relatives and friends are invited to attend the funeral which will begin Saturday morning at 9:15 at the Gleason Funeral Home, 730 Union Street and at 10 at St. John the Evangelist Church where the Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated. Calling hours will be Friday from 3 until 7 at the funeral home. Burial will be in Most Holy Redeemer Cemetery, Niskayuna. Memorial contributions may be made to the Auriesville Shrine, Route 5S, Auriesville, NY 12016.
When the INSANE are running the ASYLUM In individuals, insanity is rare; but in groups, parties, nations and epochs, it is the rule. -- Friedrich Nietzsche
“How fortunate for those in power that people never think.” Adolph Hitler
RIP John. When the democrap party an their affiliate organizations under their umbrella target you- life can get difficult. I am of the view that you pay them back 1,000 times worse. Which I have hardly started, myself personally as I am still in the planning stages. However, lately karma has been doing my work for me. Poor John. May he rest in peace.
"While Foreign Terrorists were plotting to murder and maim using homemade bombs in Boston, Democrap officials in Washington DC, Albany and here were busy watching ME and other law abiding American Citizens who are gun owners and taxpayers, in an effort to blame the nation's lack of security on US so that they could have a political scapegoat."
SCHENECTADY -- Jon Camaj, better known in the City as the Pizza King, died Sunday from an apparent suicide. Police said that they responded to a call shortly before 7:00 p.m. on Sunday evening at his Jay Street restaurant, which was not open at the time. Camaj received much media attention in 2007 when he battled the Schenectady Metroplex Development Authority to stay at his State Street location. The MDA bought the existing building and demolished it. Developers bought the land and build office and retail space.
Just sayin
Optimists close their eyes and pretend problems are non existent. Better to have open eyes, see the truths, acknowledge the negatives, and speak up for the people rather than the politicos and their rich cronies.