For 59 years, Richard Kiyoshi Chagami poured all his energy into the Forty Niner Restaurant in Aiea, making cheeseburger deluxe, saimin and beef cutlet revered by regular patrons.

"He was the breadwinner for the family," said sister Jennie Namiko Tsuchidana. "He took care of all our needs. … He was a loving and caring brother."

Chagami, former owner of the diner, died Jan. 22 at Hawaii Medical Center-West. He was 93.

Never married, he dedicated his life to the restaurant and family. "He was a such a tiny man in stature but the biggest heart and the hardest worker I’ve ever seen," said niece Pat Otsuka-Spencer. He worked every day except Tuesdays, starting at 5:30 a.m. to shop for ingredients, prepare and cook the food through 5 p.m.

The restaurant started out as a lunch wagon, named after the California gold rush, that Chagami’s parents purchased from Elia Niau. After Chagami and his brother Henry returned to Hawaii after serving in Italy and France as part of the 442nd Regimental Combat Team during World War II, their parents decided to build a restaurant in August 1947. Chagami lived in a home located next to the restaurant.

He handled the daily operations while Henry, who died in 2004, handled the bookkeeping. Their nine other siblings as well as their nephews and nieces also helped out, taking customer orders or washing dishes.

A shortage of employees forced Chagami to close the restaurant in October 2006. Chagami leased the restaurant to Wilhelm Cordes III, who reopened the restaurant in May 2007 under its original name.

After retiring in 2006, Chagami spent time relaxing at home next to the diner and tending to his yard.

He was caring and generous, extending himself to family and friends, said Otsuka-Spencer. "He’s someone I will treasure for the rest of my life."

Chagami is also survived by sisters Ruth Chagami Otsuka, Lillian Kazuye C. Yamamoto and Betty Tsurue Koizumi; and numerous nephews and nieces.

Visitation is at 5:30 p.m. tomorrow at Mililani Mortuary-Waipio, mauka chapel. A memorial service will follow at 6 p.m. A committal service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, Punchbowl, where Chagami will be interred with four of his five brothers.

Casual attire is requested. Flowers are welcomed.