Obituary: Michael P. Friezo
Michael P. Friezo, a longtime resident of Montclair, died peacefully on July 15, 2022, surrounded by his family, after a courageous 14-month battle with pancreatic cancer. He was 59.
Through it all, Mr. Friezo, who had a long career in finance and was the co-founder of an oil and gas analytics company, preserved his sense of humor, grace and hope.
Born and raised in Bergen County, he was a New York Jets fanatic, a Bruce Springsteen worshiper and an aficionado of Italian delis. On any given Sunday, he could be found picking up a loaf of seeded semolina at Nicolo’s.
He lived a love story with a 37-year marriage to his childhood sweetheart and best friend, Michele (Scardino). From the age of 16, they walked hand in hand and built a beautiful legacy together, including his two most precious gifts: daughters Lauren and Caroline. They raised their daughters in Montclair.
Mr. Friezo had a 30-year financial career spanning Salomon Brothers, Credit Suisse First Boston and Deutsche Bank, where he ran equity capital markets for the Americas. In 2017, he saw the importance of big data and analytical automation to the innovations being made in the American energy sector.
He founded FLOW, an oil and gas analytics company, with his partner, Tom Loughrey, with the goal of informing investors so the best projects would be funded. The approach worked, and today the company counts some of the world’s largest investors and energy companies as clients.
Mr. Friezo gave generously of his personal time, wisdom and resources, funding scholarships and serving on the board at Montclair Kimberley Academy, from which both of his daughters graduated. He contributed to the American Red Cross, the Montclair Food Pantry, the Montclair Art Museum and St. Cassian Roman Catholic Church. He was an active member of Bradford Bath & Tennis Club.
Since 1990, he and his family became increasingly involved in supporting Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, where he received treatment, and have donated over $2 million to establish the Friezo Family Support Fund. The Fund helps alleviate economic concerns for families with children receiving cancer care at the center. Please consider honoring him through a donation to the Friezo Family Support Fund at MSK: mskcc.convio.net/goto/mpfmemorial.