Michael “Mike” Frank Nardiello passed away on March 24, 2020 at St. James Hospital. Mike was born on August 20th, 1964 in Yonkers, New York to Frank and Isobel Nardiello. He lived on the East Coast for about 30 years, at which time he would meet his future wife, Jennifer Nardiello. Together, they moved to Montana, where the couple welcomed two sons, Anthony and Joesph Nardiello.
Mike was a big personality, and the ultimate entertainer. He could always bring a smile to anyone’s face, and within twenty minutes of conversation would walk out with a brand new friend. Friends of Mike know that he never did anything halfway, and always made sure that people were taken care of. He would give with his whole heart.
Of all of Mike’s passions, cooking was the one that truly brought out his personality. No matter how he was feeling, when he was in the kitchen he came alive. His passion for cooking shined through in his dishes, which were enjoyed by friends, family, and complete strangers at a variety of venues in which he worked. His motto about food was “No one should leave my table unsatisfied or unhappy”, a philosophy he practiced in both professional and personal settings.
Mike is preceded in death by his mother and father, Frank and Isobel, his grandparents, and several aunts and uncles. He is survived by his wife, Jennifer; sisters, Doreen Grubicy and Sandra Lavendar; sons, Anthony and Joseph; and numerous other family members whom he all loved dearly. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the American Diabetes Association at https://www.diabetes.org/donate. In lieu of a traditional service, a Celebration of Life is being planned for a date later in the summer and will be announced when arrangements are complete. Please visit below to offer the family a condolence or to share a memory of Mike.
Axelson Funeral and Cremation Services has been privileged to care for Mike and his family.
Service Schedule
Celebration of His Life
Services to be held at a later date. Due to the recent outbreak of Coronavirus, public officials strongly recommend avoiding contact with others. They ask that you refrain from handshakes, hugging, and any other physical contact. Mike would have wanted his friends to be in a safe environment during this time of uncertainty. His family understands and appreciates your thoughts and prayers.
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Service Schedule
Celebration of His Life
Services to be held at a later date. Due to the recent outbreak of Coronavirus, public officials strongly recommend avoiding contact with others. They ask that you refrain from handshakes, hugging, and any other physical contact. Mike would have wanted his friends to be in a safe environment during this time of uncertainty. His family understands and appreciates your thoughts and prayers.
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Kimberley Brown says
He was certainly a favorite! Money made me feel welcome and appreciated whenever I saw him. He made incredible food… and the cheesecake! I am so incredibly sorry for your loss. I’m sending so much love to you all 💗 I will miss him forever 💔
Kimberley
Susan Doran says
Jennifer, Joey and Anthony, so sorry for the loss of your beloved husband and dad- my thoughts and prayers are with you all during this difficult time. God Bless you all, I am thinking of you and wishing you strength and love in the days to come.
Sincerely, Susan Doran❤️🙏😔
Lauri Yelenich says
Jen and boys, I am so sorry for your loss. Mike was a great guy with a heart of gold. My thoughts and prayers to you all💞.
God Bless
Lauri
Valerie Krankowski says
Mike was the most caring and welcoming guy I’ve ever came across. He always sat down to share stories, give advice, listen if you needed, and always wanted to feed you. Though the food was always amazing, the stories were much better. He spoke so highly of his boys and his love for Jenn in every conversation we ever shared. Mike will truly be missed by anyone who had the pleasure of knowing him. Much love to the family.
Millie Rigby says
Jen and family my sincere sympathy to all of you! I worked with Mike at the Gold Rush. He always had stories about the delis in New York. He was always fun to work with. May God hold you all in the palm of his hand.
Seth and Kim Hertin says
Mike is an amazing man. He loved his family dearly and was truly passionate about his craft. Mike was a generous sole. The world is a lesser place without him in it. Jenny, Anthony, and Joey I hope that you find peace in remembering his wonderful smile. We are so sorry for your loss. Love Seth and Kim
Melissa Ann Hansen says
Oh, Jen. I am so very saddened to hear of Mike’s passing. I will always think of him as my brother from another mother, and I continue to be grateful for the important moments I was able to share with your family when the boys were young. You are all in my thoughts and prayers at this time, and always. Sending my love across the miles.
Klapan family says
💕
Samantha Humphrey says
My deepest condolences for the loss of your husband and father. He will be missed by so many. I hope you can feel his love for you always.
Misty Bjorgum says
Jen,Anthony and Joey
We are so very sorry for your loss… He was a great guy and had some of the best stories. Please let us know if there is anything at all we can do. Hold the memories close and each other closer you have the best guardian angel ever now.
Love you guys
Misty and Eli Bjorgum
Tammy Campbell says
I remember working with Mike at the Gold Rush, loved his New York accent voice, his stories, his cooking and especially his big personality!!! So, so sorry to see this, please know that you are all in my thoughts and prayers!
Charity Turk says
I am so sorry for your loss. Mike was my favorite person to work with at the gold rush. He was a great cook and made the best deserts. He even made my wedding cake.
Francene Archibald says
So sorry about Mike. He was a good man and always fun to see out and about.
Gold Bless you all,
Francene Archibald
June Magnuson says
Dear Jennifer,
I am shocked to hear about your husband. I am so sorry for your loss. My heart goes out to you and your children. I pray you will find strength and comfort from the love of your husband. Know my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
💕
Cathy Corak says
Dear Jen, I am so very sorry for you and your boys on the loss of your husband and father. Even though I did not know him well Ralph was so very fond of you all and I heard many stories. Gather strength and comfort in knowing so many thought so highly of Mike. I am so very sorry, truly I am.
Cathy C.
Kathy Lovell says
Jennifer,
I am so sorry for your loss. My prayers for you and your boys.
Kathy Lovell
Natalie Queen says
I am so sad to hear of Michael’s passing. My condolences to his family. He was my “Piggy” growing up! My next door neighbor in Adam’s Garden. We had so many laughs and fun times. Always a friend to everyone. I was just thinking and talking about him the other day. Piggy you will be missed. Love you forever my other brother💜🙏🏾
Susie Murphy Genovese says
So very sorry for your loss of you husband and Dad. Mike was a childhood friend, who we all loved in Adams Gardens. He was a big teddy bear that was kind and a brother to us all. RIP Michael, I will cherish all the memories we had together. ♥️
Kendra Kalata DeSimone says
Sorry for your loss. My prayers go out to the family. I grew up in Adams Garden with Mike our families were close. I always remember him joking and smiling. RIP Mike 👼🏻
Rayelynn says
Jen and boys,
There simply aren’t words adequate enough to soothe this moment. Sending you all love and light.
Rayelynn
Joe Manginelli says
So sorry for the loss of Nardi we had lots of good times together in Adams Gardens growing up he was a good friend, Prayers for you his family in these trying times.
God Bless You All 🙏🙏 🙏.
Ann Boston says
Dear Jennifer and family,
I am so very sorry for your loss. My prayers are with your family.
MaryAnn Vaccaro says
Love from your New York family Love to you and the boys We will miss our favorite Christmas Eve phone call Love MaryAnn and Aunt Flo
Terry Cody says
Jen, still just can’t get over your phone call. Hard to breathe for me, thinking of our Fridays together. Threw a picture at you of the time when we were storytelling in your backyard, if I recall we drank everything you had in the house and then some. Of course I screwed it up and put it in sideways, hope someone can fix it up. Just know I will be there for you if ever you have a need. Otherwise I’ll catch up with you when things slow some, and we’ll reminiscence together.
Chef Mike and you will always have, a piece of my heart, (for the love), and a piece of my mind, (for all the great memories) that you two had truly given me over these past couple years. I will miss him !!!
Maureen Driscoll says
Jennifer, Anthony, and Joe,
My heart is broken for all of you. In a world of sadness, I can pray that your memories offer some comfort at this time. Our deepest sympathies,
Larry and Maureen Driscoll
Jen Cassidy says
My deepest sympathies to your family. Mike was a great listener and friend growing up. He was alot of fun and he could talk! Lots of love and safety in this time. May your memories help through this hard time.
Love, Jen Cassidy
Richard Queen says
Dear family, I am so very sorry for your loss.
I am deeply saddened that my childhood best friend has gone ahead and I will never be able to see him again on this earth.
Micheal I have missed so much of your life and regret it more even now. I am proud to read that you are still the best friend a person could have. That your spirit stayed true and happy. You were always there to talk with, to walk with, to sit and laugh with. I remember te first time I bought you down the hill to play. I remember us walking to school, getting on the bus for boys club. I remember so much about you. .your smile, your pimp walk, teaching me to oil the pan before adding the tomato sauce so it wouldn’t burn and stick. So many memories and now no time. Thank you for your kindness, your friendship and brotherhood. I am missing you as though we talked just yesterday, it has been so long.
So I say again to your wife and children, I am so very sorry for your loss. May you find peace in the days ahead and know he is with you each and every day. Smiling, laughing and loving you all.
Hugs and soft kisses on the tops of your heads (that’s what his mom used to do as well), he still loves you…
Richard Queen says
Dear family, I am so very sorry for your loss.
I am deeply saddened that my childhood best friend has gone ahead and I will never be able to see him again on this earth.
Micheal I have missed so much of your life and regret it more even now. I am proud to read that you are still the best friend a person could have. That your spirit stayed true and happy. You were always there to talk with, to walk with, to sit and laugh with. I remember the first time I bought you down the hill to play. I remember us walking to school, getting on the bus for boys club. I remember so much about you. .your smile, your pimp walk, teaching me to oil the pan before adding the tomato sauce so it wouldn’t burn and stick. So many memories and now no time. Thank you for your kindness, your friendship and brotherhood. I am missing you as though we talked just yesterday, it has been so long.
So I say again to your wife and children, I am so very sorry for your loss. May you find peace in the days ahead and know he is with you each and every day. Smiling, laughing and loving you all.
Hugs and soft kisses on the tops of your heads (that’s what his mom used to do as well), he still loves you…
Heather Conner says
My deepest condolences and healing prayers to Mike’s family. It’s so heartening to know Mike stayed the same great guy we grew up with! He will be missed and remembered.
Heather (Yates) Conner
Sarah and Greg Dickson says
We are so very sorry for your incredible loss. Mike had the biggest heart and loved his family beyond words. I remember the first time I met Mike in NY many years ago. Within 5 minutes of meeting him at the deli he managed, he had hugged me and was making me bagel French toast. We love you Jenny, Anthony, Joey and are holding you all in our hearts and prayers.
Anonymous says
“You went away so
Suddenly
We did not say
Goodbye
But brothers can
Never be parted
Precious memories
Never die” 🙏🏻
Dave Susanj says
Jennifer- So sorry to hear of your husband’s passing. You & your family will be in our thoughts during this time of sorrow.
Michele Johnson says
Jennifer, my thoughts & prayers are with you & your family. I worked with Mike at Big Sky Senior Living he always had a smile & made me laugh.
Sincerely,
Michele Johnson