New York - Michael W. Jalbert, age 67, of Manhattan, NY, died in his sleep after fighting increasing recurrences of melanoma over several years. He passed away October 30th, 2025 at Calvary Hospice in The Bronx, NY.

Born June 28, 1958, Michael was the third child of Margaret (Healy) Jalbert and Maurice Jalbert.

Mike graduated from St Joseph's Parochial school in 1972, and then from Salem High in 1976. He played Little League, was on the gymnastics team, and in chorus.

He joined the Navy in 1978 as a Quarter Master until honorable discharge to the Naval Reserve. Mike was a student, a waiter and a cab driver in Virginia and later became a massage therapist at ski resorts in Colorado.

The ocean called again and by 1989, Mike became a U.S. Merchant Marine. He

circumnavigated the world, working oil tankers and transport ships in

Alaska, the Suez, the Middle East, India, and East Africa. With a talent for writing, he did articles for the Navy Times.

Michael joined the Staten Island Ferry in 2003 and continued his career on the water until retirement in March 2025.

In July 2024, he married Ohla Akhmetova who survives him along with her two daughters, Tania and Olena. Together they pursued every moment of what turned out to be their short time together.

Michael is also survived by sisters, Kathy and Tricia, brothers, Ed and Tom, their spouses and four nieces.

Mike's ashes are interred at the VA's Long Island National Cemetery at 2040 Wellwood Ave, Farmingdale, NY 11375.