When it comes to its owners, the Big M stands for Magnanimous.

The Farrugia family of Joseph F. (Joe), Joseph J. and Michael will be awarded the Greater Jordan-Elbridge Chamber of Commerce's 2008 Community Service Award after 40 years of operating the area's two Big M stores.

“I was totally surprised,” said Joseph J. “All our volunteerism and support in the community - that's us, that's who we are.”

Joe had spent 20 years starting new P&C stores as a district supervisor when he arrived in Elbridge to set up his own in 1968. After a year, he had built a steady enough base of patrons to turn the business into a profitable one. After another year, he opened a second Big M in Jordan.

Despite his success, Joe dealt with a mighty commitment in managing his stores.

“One thing people don't realize is when you're in business for yourself, you miss out on a lot of family functions,” he said. “After you work 70 or 80 hours a week, you wonder whether you did the right thing.”

The benefits enjoyed by his employees and the community at large convinced Joe that he had indeed made a positive impact. Every year, Big M offers a scholarship through Dollars For Scholars to a college-bound worker.

Farrugia also believes the local teenagers he hires to stock the Big M's shelves and cash out its customers matured through their interactions with adults. One former employee mailed the former Big M boss from Alaska to thank Farrugia for hiring him and helping him grow through the work.

Joining the store's young staff at one time were Joseph J. and Michael, who began learning the finer points of the grocery business firsthand.

“I was involved with dad's operation as soon as I could see over the grocery bag,” said Joseph J.

In 1977, Joseph J. met his future wife in the Big M's aisles. He took over the position of produce manager three years later.

As vice president of four Big Ms, having added stores in Baldwinsville and Mexico, Joseph J. now splits his time between the locations along with Michael, the president.

“We wouldn't do it if we didn't enjoy it,” Joseph J. said. “We enjoy the people, helping the community and having a positive impact.”

Joseph J.'s daughters - Brittany, Rianne and Carrie-Jo - have all continued the family tradition by working in the Jordan and Elbridge Big Ms when they weren't in school. Meanwhile, their father and Michael have faced rising food costs and ever-evolving technology as they try to compete with the resources of much larger chain stores.

In addition to the challenge of managing four grocery markets, Michael and Joseph J. remain heavily active in their communities. Michael, a resident of Auburn, recently served on the city's school board.

Michael's brother meets with the Jordan Community Council to help organize the Jordan Fall Festival and grant money to the local Boy and Girl Scouts, the Jordan Memorial Pool and senior groups. He also volunteers with the Jordan-Elbridge lacrosse program and sits on the board of the Weedsport Winter Wanderers snowmobile club.

These contributions weighed on the minds of the Jordan-Elbridge Chamber of Commerce when they chose the Farrugia family for its 2008 Community Service Award.

“I can't even give you a list of what they do for the community,” said Maureen Doyle, a member of the chamber. “I'm not sure there's any group that doesn't benefit from this family in one way or another.”

Joseph J. points to his father's participation in Jerry Days, a fair that took place in Elbridge at Seymour Lofft Park, as an inspiration for him to also get involved in the community at a young age.

“One thing I loved doing was help cook - flipping burgers or grilling sausage,” he said. “I went strong at that for years.”

As his hometown recognizes his family for its generosity and service, Joseph J. feels he has only reciprocated what Jordan-Elbridge has given them over the years.

“Many businesses here helped us make our lives easier,” he said. “I don't foresee us ever leaving this community.”

Staff writer David Wilcox can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 245 or david.wilcox@lee.net