John R. Friskey

Dr. John Richard Friskey, 63, passed away peacefully on July 10, 2026, surrounded by his wife and two children.

Born on July 8, 1963, in Baltimore, Maryland, John was the son of Dr. George Friskey, an anesthesiologist, and Ruby (Richardson) Friskey, a homemaker.

The majority of his most treasured memories revolved around his beloved home state of Maryland. His early years were spent in Baltimore before his family relocated to Ellicott City. His boyhood was idyllic, filled with baseball, building airplane and boat models, and exploring the woods with neighborhood friends.

After attending Centennial High School, John enrolled at Loyola University Maryland, where he was known simply as “Friskey,” the life of the party, and where he met his future wife, Martha (Marti). During his college years, he was introduced to the Roman Catholic faith and carried a deep devotion to the Church throughout his life. He graduated from Loyola with a bachelor’s degree in biology in 1985.

Ever since he was a little boy, John knew he wanted to follow in his father’s footsteps and enter the field of medicine. After graduating from Loyola, he worked as the Director of Laser Medicine at DePaul Medical Center. While there, many physicians who were impressed by John’s abilities encouraged him to apply to medical school.

After being awarded a Master of Healthcare Administration from Central Michigan, John went on to attend Eastern Virginia Medical School and complete his residency in Internal Medicine at New York Medical College. Even after retirement, he remained the trusted medical resource for family and friends, always willing to offer guidance, reassurance, and care. He served as a teacher to his two children, encouraging their consistent intellectual curiosity and inspiring his youngest to attend medical school as well.

Outside of medicine, John was fascinated by the trends of the stock market and its relation to socioeconomics and human psychology. He took great pride in working with his hands, spanning everything from tackling home projects to slinging clam shells at the crab shanty in his youth. He cherished every moment with his wife and two children, especially his family vacations to Ocean City, Maryland.

Nothing brought John greater joy than watching his two children pursue their dreams. He was immensely proud of their academic and professional accomplishments and often said he was “so proud his buttons could pop off his shirt.” He loved the energetic and charismatic personality of his wife “Marti Baby,” often reciting memories of adventures from their youth.

John is survived by his devoted wife of thirty-seven years, Martha Mae (Wiant) Friskey; his children, Sam Friskey and Jacqueline Friskey; and his sister, Linda Friskey. He was preceded in death by his parents, Dr. George Friskey and Ruby (Richardson) Friskey.

John’s legacy lives on in the countless family members, friends, patients, and strangers whose lives he touched. He will be remembered for his unwavering faith, compassionate service to his patients, and devotion to his family.