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Michael Freilich died in his sleep from natural causes on Friday, Dec. 17, according to his obituary. He was 30 years old.
Born in Kentucky in 1991, Freilich was raised in West Hartford and was well-known on the basketball courts around town. His passion for the sport was obvious, and he was a force to be reckoned with at Morley and the JCC, those who knew him said.
He attended Hebrew Academy and Hebrew High School of New England, and played for both basketball teams.
He later attended Eastern Connecticut State University and began his coaching experience with the men's basketball team.
Freilich later worked as an assistant coach at LaGrange College in Georgia, and SUNY Oneonta, and Hartwick College, both in upstate New York, according to his obituary.
"In his brief career, Michael helped many young men to find their way to a college education through participation in sports," his obituary reads. "He recruited talented and high character players and then provided them with mentoring, coaching, friendship and insisted on correcting their college papers."
"Mike made a lasting impression on everyone he met," said Cameron Conover, head coach of the Oneonta Red Dragons. "He loved coaching college basketball and he loved developing meaningful relationships with his players. He was passionate about D3 basketball and was extremely loyal to the people in his life. Coaches and players from all over the country are missing Mike right now. He was a great friend and I miss him."
He married his wife, Megan Harris, in July, and they lived in Oneonta, New York, according to his obituary.
He is survived by his wife, his parents, Sharon and Martin, and his brother, Eli, his obituary said.
His funeral was scheduled at 11 a.m. on Monday, Dec. 20, in at Beth David Synagogue in West Hartford.
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