Micheal LoPorto, the co-founder of LoPorto's Restaurant in Troy, passed away this week from cancer.

LoPorto and his brother Salvatore opened the restaurant in the early 1980's.

Since then, it has become a staple on 4th Street, serving nearly a million guests. 

His nephew Carmelo LoPorto described him as a kind man who cared deeply for his community.

"He was larger than life, he brought a smile to everybody's face no matter who you were, it didn't matter if you were the richest man in the world or the poorest man in the world, he just treated everyone equally. He was just kind and generous. I cant express in words how big he was," said LoPorto.

LoPorto also served one term on the Troy City Council in 2009.