Freilich, Michael Aaron

It is with profound sadness that we announce that Michael Aaron Freilich of Oneonta, NY passed away in his sleep from natural causes this past Friday.

Michael was born in Louisville, KY in 1991, but was raised in West Hartford, CT attending Hebrew Academy and Hebrew High School of New England. Michael was always a great big brother, a terrific friend and a fine athlete. He studied in Israel during a gap year prior to beginning UCONN as a voice major. Michael transferred to Eastern Connecticut State University where he began his men's basketball coaching experience as the team manager and coaching AAU travel basketball for the East Hartford “Roughriders.” After graduating from Eastern, he received his Masters' degree and served as graduate assistant/assistant coach at Lagrange College in Georgia prior to being recruited as assistant coach at SUNY Oneonta and most recently Hartwick College men's basketball programs. In his brief career, Michael helped many young men to find their way to a college education through participation in sports. He recruited talented and high character players and then provided them with mentoring, coaching, friendship and insisted on correcting their college papers. In Michael's spare time, he worked as a property manager and had his own house renovation business, "Freilich's Property Services". Humor and fun were always a big part of Michael's life.

All through his final three college and during his coaching years, Michael met, courted and married the love of his life Megan Harris originally from Clinton, CT. They were married this past July and were residing in Oneonta. Michael also leaves behind his loving parents, Sharon and Martin, his younger brother (and very close pal) Eli, his grandmother Clairelila Freilich, Megan's parents Lisa and George Harris, Megan's sister and brother-in-law Emily and Kevin Smith and nieces Ella and Ryann. Michael also leaves behind many additional grieving family members and close friends throughout the US and Israel.

The funeral was held on Monday, December 20 at 11 AM at Beth David Synagogue in West Hartford with interment at Beth David cemetery in Wethersfield. Calling hours will be at Beth David on Tuesday and Wednesday at the completion of the evening service between approximately 4:30 and 5:30 PM. Please make any donation in Michael's name to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, New England Jewish Academy (NEJA) or Beth David Synagogue.