TENANTS HARBOR — Michael George Rizkalla, 66, of Tenants Harbor, passed away on September 24, 2024, at the Sandy River Center in Farmington. Michael was born October 5, 1957, in Worcester, Massachusetts to parents George and Irene (Carlson) Rizkalla.

Michael grew up in Tenants Harbor and attended local schools, graduating from Georges Valley High School. He then went on to earn a degree in Culinary Arts at the Southern Maine Vocational Technical Institute.

He was employed as a cook at the Samoset Resort in Rockport, the Chuck Wagon Restaurant in Rockland, the East Wind Inn in Tenants Harbor, and the Coronado Del Sol in California.

Michael became ill at 30 years old with major mental illness. Due to the late onset of his disease, it was hoped he would recover. In his quest for treatment, he went to Sandy River Center where he stayed until his death.

He had a social worker for many years who was a tremendous help emotionally to his family, and her name was Melissa Leavitt.

Michael was predeceased by his father, George Rizkalla; brother, David Eric Rizkalla; and uncles Jerry Carlson and Roland Rizkalla.

He is survived by his mother, Irene Rizkalla; sisters Karen Rizkalla and husband Steve, Sara Rizkalla-Tyson and husband Adam, Kristine Rizkalla, and Laura Lawrence and husband Brian; nephews Gabriel Tyson and Isaac Lawrence; nieces Emily Davis, Molly Davis, Chelsie Portlock, and Daisy Portlock; great-nieces Hailey and Avery Portlock; uncles Barry Carlson and wife Nancy, and Robert Carlson and wife Marilee; aunts Lorraine Vartanian, and Carole Farley and husband David.

A funeral service will be held on Friday, October 11, 2024, at 11 a.m., at the Tenants Harbor Baptist Church, 23 Wallston Road, Tenants Harbor, with Pastor Bill Hickey officiating. A burial will follow at the North Parish Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, please feel free to give a gift in Michael’s memory to the PreK-8 Career Technical Education Fund in St. George, or the St. George Volunteer Firefighters Association at PO Box 249, Tenants Harbor, ME 04860.

Arrangements are under the care and direction of Hall Funeral Home of Thomaston. To share a condolence or memory with the Rizkalla family, visit Michael’s Book of Memories at www.hallfuneralhomes.com.