Michael Frei

Michael Joseph Frei, age 60, of Austin, passed away Tuesday afternoon, July 23, 2024 in Austin, TX.

A funeral Mass will be held at 10:00 a.m. Friday, September 6, 2024 at Saint Catherine of Siena Catholic Church in Austin.

Michael was born May 12, 1964 in Ft. Worth, the son of James Robert and Helen Joyce Frei. He was a 1982 graduate of Kapaun Mount Carmel High School in Wichita, Kansas and then attended the Washington State University in Pullman, Washington. After working a few years as a concierge, Michael went on to study at the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, New York, where he graduated second in his class. He loved his work as a chef in New York, Seattle, and in Austin at St. Edward's Catholic University.

Just after graduating from the Culinary Institute Michael was selected by the school to go to the Aspen Food and Wine Classic. He was chosen to cook with Julia Childs and Jacque Pepin at this event where they were putting on a private event. He had such a grand time with them, it was a special memory for that Chef!!

Michael would share cooking and serving advice with anyone who asked for help. He was very talented in his career and food preparation was his passion and hobby. Michael attended St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church where he participated with his mother and other volunteers in the preparation of funeral meals for grieving families.

Michael enjoyed cooking for his family and generously planned and entertained at family gatherings. During Covid, Michael hosted a remote "Uncle Mike Night" where he taught his nieces and nephews and family through video conferencing how to make a delicious pasta dish, while they followed along in their own homes.

Michael's stories will be long remembered by family and friends. When the setting was right, he would pull out a magnificent set of knives - the tools of his trade- and perform “The Knife Show!” He treasured relationships, and told the story of "The Three Martin's" in his life, who supported and advised him. He'd share --with appropriate accents --his experiences as a concierge graciously meeting the needs of the woman from the East coast, who needed her coffee to be hot; to the group from another country, who were such careful decision makers that they came back for advice no less than three times before making up their minds. And we'll not forget the aliens he met on his road trip from Seattle to Austin! Memories of Michael will be touching hearts for generations.

Michael had many close friends and was cherished and loved by his entire family. Michael lived with a loving spirit of generosity and the soul of a servant. He will truly be missed by all who knew him.

Michael is preceded in death by father, James Robert Frei.

Survivors include his mother, Helen Frei of Austin; a brother, Robert Frei of Austin; his sisters, Gretchen Jaska and husband Matthew of Katy, Tx and Rita Ebeling and husband Karl of Ogden, UT; his nieces, Pamela and William O'Gorman, Margaret and Colton Julian, and Laura and Kyle Kenney; his nephews, Paul and Lindsey Jaska, Michael and Kathryn Jaska, Robert and Elizabeth Jaska, Daniel Ebeling, Aaron and Nicole Ebeling, and John and Amber Ebeling. Michael also had many cherished grand nieces and nephews, other relatives and friends.

In lieu of flowers, memorials  and Masses may be made to St Catherine of Siena Catholic Church (4800 Convict Hill Rd, Austin, TX 78749).