Hesperia Mourns as Family Keeps Pizza Shop Legacy Alive
Hesperia, California (High Desert News Online) – George Bajalieh, the beloved founder of Valentino’s Pizzeria in Hesperia, California, passed away on July 15, 2025, at the age of 73. His family announced that they will continue his legacy, keeping the doors of Valentino’s open and preserving the recipes and community spirit he built over more than four decades.
A Local Legend Leaves His Mark
For more than 40 years, George Bajalieh served the Hesperia community slices of pizza and kindness from his small, family-owned eatery. Opened in the early 1980s, Valentino’s Pizzeria became known not just for its hand-tossed crust and rich tomato sauce but for the warmth with which George greeted every customer. Regulars recall his habit of offering a free slice to anyone who looked like they needed one, a gesture that became the hallmark of his shop.
Over the decades, Valentino’s Pizzeria grew from a single storefront into a local institution, hosting fundraisers, sponsoring youth sports teams, and feeding first responders during emergencies. Bajalieh’s commitment to his neighbors transformed a simple pizza shop into a gathering place where generations celebrated birthdays, wins on the field, and summertime nights under the stars.
Remembering “George”
Bajalieh was remembered by family and friends as a warm, generous, and hardworking man. George had an easy laugh and a ready story about his early days in the restaurant business. He often credited his success to the loyal customers who became like family and the talented staff who shared his passion for good food and hospitality.
Hesperia School Board President Eric Swanson “The first time my path crossed with George was in the mid-1990s, when he owned Valentino’s Pizza in Victorville. I encouraged George to relocate to Hesperia, which he did, opening his first restaurant on Main Street across the freeway. Later, I urged him to move into the Major building along the aqueduct, where Valentino’s is located today.”
“He didn’t just build a pizzeria; he built a community,” said local customer. “He knew every customer by name and remembered their favorite toppings. When you walked into Valentino’s, you weren’t just a customer—you were family.”
Family Vows to Carry On the Tradition
In a statement released this week, the Bajalieh family affirmed that they will continue to operate Valentino’s Pizzeria, preserving George’s original recipes and his philosophy of serving joy by the slice. His sons, JJ and Tony along Ilias and George, will oversee daily operations, ensuring that the quality and spirit of the restaurant remain unchanged.
“We are heartbroken to lose our father,” the family’s statement read, “but we are determined to honor his memory by keeping Valentino’s Pizzeria thriving. We promise to serve every pizza with the same love and care he taught us.”
Impact on Hesperia’s Community
George Bajalieh’s passing has been met with an outpouring of condolences across Hesperia and the wider Victor Valley. “George had great respect and love for our local law enforcement and fire fighters.” said Swanson.
Valentino’s Pizzeria was more than a spot for dinner—it was a cornerstone of the community.
A funeral service for George will be held Thursday, July 24, 2025 from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM at Desert View, 11478 AMARGOSA RD, VICTORVILLE, CA 92392. Following the funeral service will be a graveside service from 1:00 PM to 1:30 PM at External Service Location, 11500 Amargosa Rd, Victorville, CA 92392.
Contributions to the GoFundMe page: In Loving Memory of George Bajalieh.
