Michael Wendell (Sr.) Freeland

Michael Wendell Freeland, Sr., peacefully passed away in the early morning of March 23, 2026. He was 74 years old. Michael was born on March 18, 1952, in Pittsburgh, where he lived most of his life. He was predeceased by his parents, Jane Y. Freeland and Wendell G. Freeland. He is survived by his two children, Kristen Freeland Hines (Antwyne) and Michael W. Freeland, Jr. (Megan); four grandchildren Michael Randall Freeland (Tre), Maya Freeland, Aria Hines and A.J. Hines; his sister, Lisa B. Freeland; and his former wife Lynne Hayes Freeland. He will be missed by friends, new and lifelong, whose love and support buoyed him in his final days. Michael decided that he did not want a funeral service. He wanted his family to take a fishing trip to celebrate his life and love of the sport.

Michael graduated from Penn Hall Academy in Penn Hills, where he played basketball. Baseball was his true love and he chose Morris Harvey College in Charleston, West Virginia, where the Pittsburgh Pirates had a training camp. He played baseball for Morris Harvey and, after graduating with a degree in sociology, Michael played briefly for the Cleveland Indians’ minor league team. After his Major League Baseball dream ended, he joined the Maroadi Transfer Traveling softball team and continued playing, even as he served as the Director of Youth and Family Services at the Urban League of Greater Pittsburgh and then as the director of the Camp Curtin YMCA in Harrisburg. Some of his fondest memories came from playing baseball with the Terrace Village team, which was a part of the Greater Pittsburgh Federation League.

Michael’s love of all things sports never waned, and watching his Pittsburgh Pirates, Steelers, and Penguins provided him with much joy throughout his life. Knowing that his son and eldest grandson shared his passion brought him even more joy. May he rest in peace.

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