(CNN) Alan Naiman was known for his frugality -- he wore Costco jeans, bought his favorite pocket T-shirts at a grocery store and squirreled away every penny he could. So when he died, friends were surprised to learn that he had left more than $11 million to charities in the Seattle area.

The 63-year-old never married and never had children, but kids were very important to him. He fostered a few children and cared for his brother, Daniel, who had developmental disabilities.

Naiman became a social worker after leaving a career in banking.

"He was a highly valued employee who was dependable and dedicated to his work," Washington State Department of Children, Youth and Families spokeswoman Debra Johnson told CNN.

He worked three jobs to get established in the new field, his friend Shashi Karan told CNN.

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