Nicholas Alioto, manager of American Serb Hall in Milwaukee, has died
Friday Fish Fry at the legendary American Serb Hall just won’t be the same.
Nicholas Alioto, general manager of the longtime Milwaukee institution, has died.
Alioto died Monday morning of hypertensive cardiovascular disease, or heart problems caused by high blood pressure. He was 55.
“Due to the sudden untimely death of our general manager, out of respect Serb Hall is closed today,” a note posted on the venue’s door Friday read.
Alioto recently had tested positive for COVID-19, although that is not listed as a cause of death by the Milwaukee County Medical Examiner’s Office.
“We are saddened by the news,” said Jeff Fleming, a spokesman for the Milwaukee Health Department. “There are people here in the Health Department who worked with Nick directly, and, so, on a personal level they are particularly saddened.”
Alioto tested positive for COVID-19 on Nov. 17, the medical examiner’s report said.
Alioto had not been feeling well and was complaining of a sore throat the night before he died, his mother told police, according to the report.
Though an autopsy was not performed, the virus is not considered a cause of death, according to the medical examiner’s office.
“He tested positive for COVID, but only had mild symptoms,” said Karen Domagalski, a spokeswoman for the office.
Alioto died just over two weeks after he was knocked to the ground during a brief struggle outside Serb Hall at a “Defend Your Vote” rally held by supporters of President Donald Trump.
The rally broke up after Alioto asked attendees to comply with the city’s public health order aimed at stemming the spread of the coronavirus, saying the venue didn’t want to lose its license over
“Due to the sudden untimely death of our general manager, out of respect Serb Hall is closed today.”
the event.
Rally participants weren’t wearing masks, social distancing or staying in their seats provided to them by Serb Hall, all in violation of Milwaukee’s health order, city officials said
When Alioto attempted to get the crowd to comply, some yelled obscenities at Alioto and told him to “get out of here,” even though they were using his lot. He was surrounded and one man grabbed him from behind, apparently trying to take the microphone from his hands. Alioto was knocked off balance and fell to the ground. He said several people kicked him in the ribs and chest.
Sources said he developed a sore throat a couple of days after the rally and tested positive soon after.
Those who knew Alioto remember him as someone who worked tirelessly to keep Serb Hall afloat as the facility, like many others, struggled during the coronavirus pandemic.
Michael Malmstadt, a member of the Serb Hall board, said Alioto quickly became part of the community when he joined the Serb Hall staff about 21⁄2 years ago. He was particularly fond of Serbian food, he said.
“Chicken paprikash was one of his favorites even though he never learned how to pronounce it,” Malmstadt said in an email to the Journal Sentinel. “Nick had a wonderful sense of humor and was a great storyteller. He was fiercely loyal to Serb Hall and was constantly looking for new ways to improve our bottom line.”
“In the short time he was with us, he developed many strong friendships and will be deeply missed,” he wrote.