Hi North Italia family,

I can't thank you all enough for the support and love you've shown during this time. Amado and his family have expressed so much gratitude and have been overwhelmed by the outpouring of our North family. With sadness in my heart, I share with you that we lost Amado to his battle with cancer. He put up a fight and shocked the doctors with his ability to carry on and defy the odds longer than they thought possible. Knowing Amado, I am not surprised in the slightest.

His legacy and light marches on and his memory will forever live in our hearts and the walls of Irvine. I promised Amado that North would continue to take care of his family and he could trust they would have my and our support through the years. He had been sleeping, but heard my voice, opened his eyes and smiled, and squeezed my hand tightly.

The reality of funeral expenses and taking care of four children is now on Rosana's plate. I have watched her stand strong next to her husband throughout the last year and am completely blown away at how she has carried herself with grace and faithfulness. Now, we have an opportunity to show up for Amado's family. I will be forever grateful and indebted to Amado for his service, his love, his humility and his commitment to North. I am proud to represent his family and hope to raise enough money to help lighten the burden and load of the coming expenses. We will provide food for his family, we will provide food at his Celebration of Life on October 2nd, and we will continue to shower them in love every single day.

Thank you for taking the time to read Amado's story. I hope you are as inspired and in awe as I have been in seeing this authentic man of faith fight this disease for as long as he did, with a smile on his face and nothing but positivity coming from his heart. We love you forever, Amado Alan Munoz.

-North Italia Irvine

"Amado Alan has been fighting the battle on the front line at North Italia alongside the team for almost four years. His passion, consistency and greatness have been an absolute joy to watch. Amado has been a focal part of Chef team at North Italia for many years, and I honestly have no idea what we would have done without his support and loyalty. I am so grateful for the time he has been a part of this team and am devastated to share that now his battle is against terminal cancer.

This diagnosis hit within a matter of weeks and has been a complete shock to his family. Amado is the loving, faithful father (and husband) of four children (Gael - 18, Roxanne - 14, Zachary - 12 & Levi - 4) and continues to be a rock for them during this time. The level of humility and gratitude following this diagnosis I have seen from Amado is inspiring, and I'm not surprised after coming to know his character over the last four years.

Amado is not willing to give up. Let's stand behind him and do what we can to support him now! Thank you, team."