Obituary: Roy and Aline Friedman
Royce H. Friedman, president of Standard Oil of Connecticut, died of natural causes on September 21, 2025, at his home in Fairfield, Connecticut. He was 99. Roy’s wife, Aline Friedman, passed away four days later on September 25. She was 96.
Roy was born in 1926 in Bridgeport, Connecticut. Upon graduating from Stratford High School in June of 1944, Roy enlisted in the US Navy and served as a Petty Officer 2nd class aboard an amphibious supply ship in the Pacific Theatre. Roy’s job was to ferry troops and supplies to shore during amphibious landings. When under attack during Japanese kamikaze raids, Roy served as a spotter on one the ship’s anti-aircraft batteries where he would identify enemy aircraft and direct outgoing fire. Roy received medals for service in the Philippines, Okinawa, Iwo Jima, New Caledonia, and Guam war zones. Roy’s ship survived a typhoon at sea with 120-mile-an-hour winds and 90-foot waves. After the Japanese surrender, his ship was one of the first to land on the Japanese mainland.
After discharge from the Navy, Roy returned to Stratford. He graduated from the University of Bridgeport and is the recipient of its Distinguished Alumnae Service Award. He spent his professional career in the petroleum industry expanding and diversifying a small, family-owned coal company established in 1913 into one of the largest privately-owned oil companies in the state. When asked about his seven-day work weeks, he would frequently recite the motto, “My work is my hobby,” a testament to his work ethic leading to a long, healthy life.
Today, 108 years later, the formerly small business now comprises Standard Oil of Connecticut, Standard Insurance, Standard Petroleum, Standard Security Systems and Standard Specialty Chemicals. Recognized as a model for business excellence in 2008, Standard Oil won the International Torch Award for Marketplace Excellence from the Better Business Bureau.
Roy served on numerous local and state boards including CEMA and NEFI, and was Stratford Commissioner of WWII Veterans, a Board Associate of the University of Bridgeport and a Board Member of the Alzheimer’s Association. At the Jewish Home for the Elderly, he served on the Board of Directors and earned the distinguished title of Honorary Director for Life. There, he created The Roy and Aline Friedman Medical Home Care Agency. Roy had lifelong interests in antique cars and horseback riding. Roy was a known supporter of philanthropic initiatives and in 2010, was a recipient of the Arthur and Gladys Lunin Humanitarian Award, in recognition of outstanding public and community service. He supported the Connecticut Children’s Muscular Dystrophy Association and the Center of Women and Families of Eastern Fairfield County. In 2021, he was honored as a U.S. Military Hero of the Game by The Bridgeport Sound Tigers, American Hockey League.
Roy and Aline Friedman had been married for 67 years. Aline earned a Master’s Degree in Education at Syracuse University and Yale University, and she taught elementary school in Stratford. The couple are survived by three daughters, two sons-in-law, nine grandchildren and one great-grandchild. Funeral services were private. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to: Alzheimer’s Association, 10 Executive Drive, Suite 202, Farmington, CT 06032.
This obituary is reprinted from the Oct. 2 issue of CEMA Pipeline, the newsletter of the Connecticut Energy Marketers Association. It has been edited for clarity and length.