Friends Of STAR

Steve Jobs' biological father likes to think the Apple didn't fall far from the tree.

Like the son he's never met, Abdulfattah John Jandali, 80, is an executive -- vice president of a Reno casino -- and a workaholic determined to avoid retirement at all costs.

But much to his regret, they have one additional thing in common: Each is unwilling to speak with the other.

"This might sound strange, though, but I am not prepared, even if either of us was on our deathbeds, to pick up the phone to call him," Jandali said.

"Steve will have to do that, as the Syrian pride in me does not want him ever to think I am after his fortune," he said.

For all his accomplishments, the Syrian immigrant says he is overcome with guilt over his treatment of Jobs, 56, and given his son's health woes and decision this week to step down as Apple CEO, fears time is running out.

"Now I just live in hope that, before it is too late, he will reach out to me, because even to have just one coffee with him just once would make me a very happy man," he said.

Jandali learned only in recent years that the son his ex-wife gave up for adoption 56 years ago grew up to be the Edison of his age.

"I'd be lying if I said it doesn't sadden me to have not been part of my son's incredible journey," he said. "What father wouldn't think that? And I would think that even if he was not the head of a hugely successful company."

In 1955, Jandali's girlfriend Joanne Simpson became pregnant, and though he wanted to marry her, he says her family would not allow it.

"I was very much in love with Joanne," he said. "But sadly, her father was a tyrant, and forbade her to marry me, as I was from Syria. And so she told me she wanted to give the baby up for adoption."

The pair were living in Wisconsin back then, he said.

"Without telling me, Joanne upped and left to move to San Francisco to have the baby without anyone knowing, including me," he said."She did not want to bring shame onto the family and thought this was the best for everyone."

Jandali would have preferred to keep the baby, but he respected her wishes, he said.

"I honestly do not know to this day if Steve is aware of the fact that had it been my choice, I would have loved to have kept him," he said.

"I think after we got back together, Joanne had second thoughts about adoption, but by then, there was nothing we could do about it."

Joanne's dad died just a few months after they gave their son up for adoption, and she agreed to marry John - NYPost 

CLICK TO READ ABOUT STEVE JOBS MUSLIM ROOTS (translated from Arabic by Google)

Pic: Abdulfattah John Jandali, Steve Jobs biological father