Jan M. Bijas

AIKEN, SC - Jan “Janny” Bijas, 64, of Aiken, SC passed away on Tuesday, March 2^nd, 2021 of heart complications. He was the beloved son of Joseph and Irene Bijas of Kensington, CT.  He was raised in New Britain and Kensington, CT and was a graduate of Berlin High School and Manchester Community College.

     In 1981, Jan left for Aiken, SC with his good friend, Bruce Shipman and went on to a 40-year career in the restaurant business. Jan and Bruce co-owned several very successful restaurants most notably, Up Your Alley and Olive Oil’s. They even had a comedy club for a brief while in Augusta, GA.  After selling the businesses 10 years ago, Janny remained in the restaurant field with his catering and consulting businesses. His legacy will be in his generosity and caring for other people as anyone who ever met him will attest to. Janny’s loves were cooking for his friends and family, golfing at Palmetto, going to casinos, watching just about any sport there is and Edisto Island.  He was a huge animal lover, especially dogs, of which he had many over the years.

     Jan leaves behind his mother, Irene, his niece and her husband, Nicole and Jack Manno, his great nephews, Jack and Luc E. Manno, his brother-in-law and his wife, Gary and Maria Simoneau, his cousins Patricia and Freddie Faniard of Belgium and numerous other cousins in Poland. He was predeceased by his wife, Kathy, his sister, Edith Simoneau, his nephew, Michael Simoneau and his father, Joseph.

     A Celebration of Janny's Life will take place Saturday afternoon, June 12, 2021 from 3 until 6 o'clock at Rose Hill in Aiken.

Memorial contributions can be made in Janny’s memory to Albrecht Center for Animal Welfare, 199 Willow Run Road, Aiken, SC 29801 (www.letlovelive.org) .

SHELLHOUSE – RIVERS FUNERAL HOME, 715 EAST PINE LOG RD., AIKEN, SC