Coral Gables, Florida – Mitchell Morris Friedman, 72, passed away peacefully on Monday, September 12, 2022, surrounded by family. Mitch was born December 2, 1949, in Brooklyn, New York. He lived his early and most of his adolescent life in New York until his family relocated to Miami before his senior year in High School. After graduating from High School, Mitch attended the University of Florida where he graduated with both a Bachelor and Master’s Degree.
After completing his studies, he moved back to Miami where he started his career in local government. Mitch initially worked for the City of Miami Beach becoming an Assistant City Manager and later concluded his public sector career as the Director of Capital Improvements and Assistant County Manager for Miami-Dade County. During his tenure at Miami-Dade County he spearheaded several of the County’s most important and complex capital improvement projects such as the Government Center, Metrorail, and the redevelopment of Rickenbacker Causeway.
After leaving the public sector, Mitch went on to a successful career in the private sector. He initially worked in local government infrastructure financing, advised clients in real estate development and property management, and developed a number of restaurant and food service chains throughout Florida. However, Mitch’s career changed course after Hurricane Andrew devasted South Miami-Dade.
Following the aftermath of the Hurricane, Mitch was approached by several civil leaders to assist in the housing redevelopment efforts in South Miami-Dade. He founded the non-profit South Dade Redevelopment Corporation, which helped rebuild the community with needed affordable housing developments. It was from this experience that he decided to focus his efforts in developing affordable housing communities.
In the late 1990s, Mitch joined Pinnacle Housing Group as a partner and over the next two decades developed thousands of affordable housing units across Florida, Texas, and Mississippi. He became a staunch advocate for affordable housing serving as a past Chairman of the state-wide Coalition of Affordable Housing Providers. Later in his career, Mitch help lead Pinnacle in diversifying its portfolio by developing the first publicly assisted mixed-income development in Miami along with several luxury multifamily developments across Florida.
He had a zest for life, was an avid runner, enjoyed a good party, loved to travel, and would never miss his beloved Florida Gators playing a football game. He felt strongly about giving back to his community supporting many organizations including Mount Sinai Hospital, Temple Beth Am, and the University of Florida.
Mitch was a dedicated and loving father, husband, brother, uncle, and grandfather. He is survived by his wife Adria, son Chad (Randi) Friedman, daughter Robyn (Chip) Schumacher, along with grandchildren Addison Schumacher, Alexa Schumacher, Ava Friedman and Harper Friedman, and his former spouse Hilarie Friedman. He was preceded in death by his parents, Helene and Julius Friedman, and stepbrother Jason.
Words cannot begin to express how deeply he will be missed.
Published by the Miami Herald on Sep. 14, 2022.
