Michael Fielo, passed away at University Hospital on Sunday, May 24, 2020, at the age of 81. Born in Newark, NJ, he was a lifelong resident of Essex County. Our dad proudly practiced law for over 50 years. He was a tireless advocate, working quietly and compassionately to help his clients. He was one of the first Essex County Public Defenders, learning to passionately defend the rights of all people no matter the circumstance; he was a lawyer's lawyer. He approached his clients and the practice of law as he did life, with kindness, honesty, and integrity. We were recently told a story that perfectly sums up Mike's approach to his practice and to his clients: About a year ago, our dad helped a client navigate the bureaucracy of medical and rehabilitative care after the passing of their spouse. His client had no family and was simply unable to manage these challenges. Our dad, his lawyer, personally visited several facilities. He consulted and cajoled administrators and medical authorities, sorting out the coverage problems, and arranging proper care. His client received the required medical treatment and aftercare solely because of Mike's personal intervention. We didn't know this story. This isn't the story our dad would tell. Instead, we would talk about politics, hear stories of his early days practicing with the first class of Essex County Public Defenders (a time he was incredibly proud of), laugh about some of the cases he shared with his friends of 30, 40, and 50 years or simply trade absurd jokes or puns, usually ending in one of us hanging up on the other. Mike loved those jokes. It almost seemed like he wanted the eye roll, not the laugh. He loved the pun, the twist of a phrase, and could not wait to tell anyone, everyone, the latest. One of his closest friends just admitted that his son would call Mike to trade jokes, inevitably being repeated back, creating the type of humorous frustration Mike so enjoyed. And of course jazz. Mike was a lifelong jazz aficionado. He had an encyclopedic knowledge recalling song titles, recording dates, often the artists performing on a tune. He thrived on live music, attending the local big bands, open mike nights, and outdoor jazz events where he would trade stories with musicians, DJs, and fans. He was enormously proud of a course he took at Lincoln Center, taught by the legendary Phil Schaap, where he achieved an honorary "diploma" which he photocopied and carried in his wallet. And would show to anyone who didn't ask to see it. He was also an overgrown kid who loved Star Wars, Star Trek, and Superman movies. As kids, he would get us excused from school on those opening Fridays, get tickets to the 11:00 am Matinee, and we would wait in line to see the first showing. One of us is actually named after a superhero, a fact that was not readily apparent to our mom. One of our dad's closest friends shared a quote with us the other day. When he did, words caught in his throat. He wanted to help us through this, but this loss is all of ours. Mike touched us all. To paraphrase: "There will come a day, I promise you, when the thought of your loved one brings a smile to your lips before it brings a tear to your eye. It will happen. My prayer for you is that day will come sooner than later." And one more as it really illustrates Mike's approach to life, friends, and family: "Live now; make now always the most precious time. Now will never come again." If asked what he was most proud of, to name his greatest achievement, it likely would not be accolades, reported cases, or awards. Mike's true joy was found in his friends and family, the relationships of over 50 years, the daily coffees with his closet friends, the late evening dinners at the diner, and the weekend visits with his grandkids. He took absolute pride in eliciting a laugh, telling a story, and simply sharing his time and sobriety. And that Phil Schaap thing. He was seriously proud of that. Mike is remembered with love by his son Brett (Susan) of Whitehouse Station, daughter Alison (Josh) of Wilmington, DE, granddaughters Hannah, Jessica and Abigail, as well as Barbara Ciccone and a lifetime of friends who brought humor, joy, and love into our dad's life. We are grateful for the life he lived, the person he was, and the friendships he shared. A memorial for Mike will be planned at a future date. In lieu of flowers, Mike would love donations in his memory made to the NJ chapter of the ACLU (https://www.aclu-nj.org/), or please donate to your local Democratic candidate.