Michael Faden

08/12/1943 - 01/06/2026

Michael Faden, 82, passed away peacefully on January 6, 2026. He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Janice Nakano Faden, daughter Julie Faden-Shifrin, sons-in-law Ian Shifrin and Rob MacDougall, grandchildren Yuki MacDougall, Eli MacDougall, and Jonah Shifrin, and sister and brother-in-law Susan and Hal Pearlman. He was preceded in death by his daughter Lisa Faden and his parents.
Michael was born and raised in Pennsylvania, but spent most of his life in Bethesda, MD. He was a graduate of Oberlin College and Boston University School of Law. In 2015, he retired from a 30-year career as the Senior Legislative Attorney for the Montgomery County Council. Michael tackled a variety of environmental issues in his work with the Montgomery County Council, resulting in legislation that continues to serve the needs of the greater community. He had previously served as Legislative Counsel for the Union of Concerned Scientists, the Massachusetts Law Reform Institute, and Massachusetts Governor Michael Dukakis. Throughout his career, dating back to his days as a community organizer with the Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party in 1965, his work was guided by his strong commitment to equality and justice for all.
On his frequent trips to Canada, he delighted in seeing his granddaughter and grandson's drama performances, engaging in heated critiques of popular movies and traditional literature, and relishing friendly competition in family board games. An avid booster for an athletic local grandson, he spent many an afternoon watching him play on youth ice hockey, soccer, and baseball teams.
He maintained an active connection to his alma mater, Oberlin College, where he chaired the Student Congress as an undergraduate and served as class president for over a decade as an alumnus. But most significantly, Oberlin was where he met Janice in 1965, when a pioneering computer dating experiment suggested they'd be compatible.
Michael's devotion to family and loyalty to friends were the hallmark of his life. His loved ones fondly remember his dry sense of humor, his mastery of trivia games, and his love of music, reflected in his large and well-curated collection of rock, rhythm and blues, and jazz recordings. His intellect and sharp wit were a source of both pride and pain to his friends; for better or worse, he never forgot anything.
A celebration of life will be held at a later date. Donations in his memory may be made to the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Endowed Internship Fund at Oberlin College (advance.oberlin.edu).