Miles Joseph Avallone

St. Petersburg, FL – Miles Joseph Avallone graced us with his presence on January 15, 2025. The heroic medical care provided by many individuals at Orlando Health Bayfront Hospital helped facilitate a safe arrival via emergency c-section and cared for Miles so compassionately around the clock while in the NICU at Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital. Miles was a fighter. He persevered for 8 days and gave us the opportunity to meet his parents, siblings, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and a dear friend.

We learned that Miles had Trisomy 18 very early in pregnancy, which created a lot of challenges and uncertainty about what to expect upon delivery. God immediately began working through Miles. Overwhelming love, support, and prayer from friends and family was poured into Miles, his parents, and his siblings. With his mother’s love, and their shared resilience, prayers were answered. Miles defied the odds and breathed on his own after birth, but the journey ahead was still expected to be long and difficult with the need for many immediate surgeries. Miles’ birth was a miracle that gave hope to all.

Although Miles wasn’t given the gifts that many take for granted, he was given a gift. Miles used his gift to shine the brightest light into countless lives. His gift was to reveal, and prove, just how precious life is. His gift was to clarify God’s blessings and what really matters in our lives. His gift taught us that our faith can get us through anything. Miles’ gift was to make our family even stronger.

Miles imprinted a baseball with his touch, and our family will cherish that forever. He was read to, sang to, kissed, hugged, held, and prayed for every day of his life. Miles was baptized by his father, with his mother as witness.

It’s symbolic that Miles’ weight at birth was exactly 3 lbs. 11 oz. Both during pregnancy and while he was in the NICU, Miles listened to music by his family’s favorite band, 311. Lyrics from songs, like “Tranquility,” that his parents always sing to Miles’ siblings became even more meaningful.

Journey in peace now

You don’t have to be afraid

…It’s all part of the plan for us

Psalm 139:13-14 became a favorite Bible verse during our time with Miles as well.

13 For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. 14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.

Held close in his mother’s arms and wrapped in his father’s embrace, Miles took his final breath and passed away peacefully on January 22, 2025. He is our angel.

Miles Joseph Avallone is survived by his mother, Stacey Lee Avallone, his father, Michael Joseph Avallone, and his three siblings, Matthew Joseph, Leah Michael, and Micah Joseph, who reside in Lakewood Ranch, FL; his grandparents, Richard and Therese Rife and Frank and Paula Avallone; as well as aunts, uncles, family, and friends who love him dearly. His siblings adored “Baby Miles” even before they met him and we’re so grateful for our moments together as a family of six.

There will be a service and reception to honor and celebrate Miles’ life on March 11, 2025 at 11 a.m. at Anderson McQueen Funeral Home – 2201 Doctor Martin Luther King Junior Street North, St. Petersburg, FL 33704. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to The Classical Academy of Sarasota towards the purchase of a Legacy Picnic Table https://tcasarasota.com/product/legacy-picnic-table-round-copy/ in honor of Miles and in support of a community that is so loved and appreciated by the Avallone family. You can donate at https://tcasarasota.com/building-our-future/ or place a check payable to The Classical Academy of Sarasota in the designated box at the service. Thank you!

Miles’ life was beautiful and sad. Painful and joyous. Short and eternal. Miles didn’t choose his purpose, but he fulfilled it. We are all so proud of him. Although Miles’ physical presence may no longer grace our lives, his spirit is very much alive in our hearts and will continue to inspire and uplift us. May his memory be a blessing, and may we carry forth his legacy of unconditional love. Let us remember the past with gratitude, live in the present with enthusiasm, and look forward to the future with confidence. God Bless Miles.