Michael Ibrahim Totah died Thursday, December 15, in his home in Saratoga, CA, following a brief illness.

"Mike" was born January 14, 1930 in Ramallah, Palestine. He immigrated to the Unites States in the early 50's to continue his education. Mike soon became an internationally award winning chef and restaurateur in Houston Texas.

In 1954 he married Mary Shatara, they have two daughters, Sister Mary David (Michelle) St. Cecilia's Abbey, Ryde England and Monelle Totah, San Francisco.

In 1965 the family moved to Louisiana to realize his dream of opening his own restaurant, The Plantation Manor, which quickly became a resounding success from day 1.

He greeted each customer by name and his food was acclaimed statewide.

As a father he was enormously accepting, open minded, kind and generous.

He retired and moved to California in 1982 to be closer to his brothers, cousins and many other family members in the Bay Area.

He leaves his wife, Mary of 62 blessed years; his daughters Sister Mary David (Michelle) and Monelle; his brother Kamel Totah, sister, Sister Frieda Totah, nephews, nieces, many cousins and friends.

The Rosary followed by a Mass of Christian Burial will be on Tuesday, December 20, 2016 at 10:30am at St William in Los Altos with burial at Gate of Heaven.

A man well loved; a life well lived.