Michael Alleva passed away on July 16, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada, leaving behind his loving wife Nicky and son Michael.
Nicky (Nicole D’Ambrose) and Michael first met in 1996, and it was truly love at first sight. Soulmates through and through… Their son Michael was born in 1999 and they were married in 2000. Love of family was by far Michael’s greatest passion. Michael loved being a father, and was incredibly proud of and close with his son Michael, an honor student throughout high school and through his first recent year of college. Loving his younger sister Kim deeply, he was a terrific brother, as well as son, son-in-law, grandson, nephew, and uncle. Michael lived his life as a compassionate, caring, and generous individual.
Born on October 18, 1978 in Port Jefferson, L.I, New York, Michael was raised on Long Island, New York by his parents Melanie Brophy and Frank Alleva.
Michael only briefly attended the Culinary Institute of America, after which he began his remarkable career in the culinary industry—a goal he has had since he was a child. After just a few short years working in various kitchens and assistant chef roles in restaurants on Long Island, Michael took the bold step of moving his family to Las Vegas in search of a better job and long-term career, doing so without so much as a job offer. Nicky and little Michael soon followed. Largely self-taught with a remarkable intellectual curiosity, Michael quickly advanced through a series of restaurant and chef roles with some of the best known hotels and casinos on the Las Vegas strip. He worked for many years as an Executive Sous chef, overseeing over a dozen hotel restaurants and a staff approaching 250 people. Sadly, a serious illness starting in late 2016 forced Michael to pause his promising career. Not only talented in the kitchen, Michael also taught himself many of the “ins and outs” of the broader resort hotel business and of the complex procurement/supply chain challenges faced by a major hotel/restaurant. He was recognized by management a number of times for his cost-saving and innovative, quality driven changes, some of which reached well beyond his thirteen restaurants. Integrity, professionalism, innovation, and modesty were among his hallmarks. Michael truly cared for his team, frequently striving to mentor and help others working with him. A college-level educator in procurement asked Michael to regularly speak with his classes on line, sharing his unique real-world insights. He was also particularly known for his keen insights with seafood and served as a judge for nation seafood competitions.
With family at his highest priority, Michael also took great pride in his family heritage, which included the establishment of America’s oldest Italian cheese store by an ancestor in the late 1800’s. Michael enjoyed MMA and trained before becoming ill. Michael very much enjoyed engaging in thought-provoking conversations.
Michael is survived by Nicky and Mikey, his parents Melanie and Frank, his loving sister Kimberly Alleva, half-sister Caroline Moore, half-brother Anthony Alleva, half-brother Charlie Moore and his in-laws, numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, and nephew.
While he will be very, very deeply missed by Nicky, Mikey and by other family members and friends, as a largely self-taught man Michael accomplished far more—and touched more people—in his 39 short years than most people do in an entire lifetime…
There will be two celebrations of Michael’s life. The first on August 7, 2018 between 4pm and 7pm at the Palm Funeral Home on 7400 W Cheyenne Ave. Las Vegas, NV 89129, and a second memorial service on Long Island at Greenwood Hall, 58 Greenwood Ave. East Islip, N.Y. 11730. From 2:30-6:30.
In lieu of flowers the requests donations can be made to help with the family’s expenses at:
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