groundbreaking Nonroad, Locomotive, and Marine( NLRM) regulations.
Burke was honored at the AltWheels Fleet Day on October 6, 2025, at the 22nd Anniversary AltWheels Fleet Day in Norwood, Massachusetts, where leaders across the energy and transportation sectors gathered to celebrate innovation and progress toward a cleaner future.
� OBITUARY: ROY FRIEDMAN, STANDARD OIL OF CONNECTICUT
Royce H. Friedman, president of Standard Oil of Connecticut, died of natural causes on September 21, 2025, at his home in Fairfield, Connecticut. He was 99. Roy’ s wife, Aline Friedman, passed away four days later on September 25. She was 96. Roy was born in 1926 in Bridgeport, Connecticut. Upon graduating from Stratford High School in June of 1944, Roy enlisted in the US Navy and served as a Petty Officer 2nd class aboard an amphibious supply ship in the Pacific Theatre. His job was to ferry troops and supplies to shore during amphibious landings. When under attack during Japanese kamikaze raids, he served as a spotter on one the ship’ s anti-aircraft batteries where he would identify enemy aircraft and direct outgoing fire. Roy received medals for service in the Philippines, Okinawa, Iwo Jima, New Caledonia, and Guam war zones. Roy’ s ship survived a typhoon at sea with 120-mile-an-hour winds and 90-foot waves. After the Japanese surrender, his ship was one of the first to land on the Japanese mainland.
After discharge from the Navy, Roy returned to Stratford. He graduated from the University of Bridgeport and is the recipient of its Distinguished Alumnae Service Award. He spent his professional career in the petroleum industry expanding and diversifying a small, family-owned coal company established in 1913 into one of the largest privately-owned oil companies in the state. When asked about his seven-day work weeks, he would frequently recite the motto,“ My work is my hobby,” a testament to his work ethic leading to a long, healthy life.
Today, 108 years later, the formerly small business now comprises Standard Oil of Connecticut, Standard Insurance, Standard Petroleum, Standard Security Systems and Standard Specialty Chemicals. Recognized as a model for business excellence in 2008, Standard Oil won the International Torch Award for Marketplace Excellence from the Better Business Bureau.
Roy and Aline Friedman had been married for 67 years. Aline earned a Master’ s Degree in Education at Syracuse University and Yale University, and she taught elementary school in Stratford. The couple are survived by three daughters, two sons-in-law, nine grandchildren and one great-grandchild. Funeral services were private. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to: Alzheimer’ s Association, 10 Executive Drive, Suite 202, Farmington, CT 06032.
This obituary is reprinted from the Oct. 2 issue of CEMA Pipeline, the newsletter of the Connecticut Energy Marketers Association. It has been edited for clarity and length. A more detailed version can be read at www. fueloilnews. com.
� NYPGA HIRES MANAGEMENT FIRM, NAMES EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
The New York Propane Gas Association( NYPGA) issued an update on its year so far, stating that it has renewed leadership, strategic focus, and operational stability following the hiring of Capitol Hill Management Services( CHMS) and Executive Director Amy Mason. Together, the changes have brought much-needed structure, momentum, and professionalism to an association determined to modernize and strengthen its voice at a pivotal moment for New York’ s energy future, the association said.
The transition, which took effect in January 2025, represented more than a management change, it signaled a fullscale revitalization of NYPGA’ s operations, advocacy, and member engagement, said the group. Despite the restructuring, the Association held year-over-year operating expenses flat, demonstrating a disciplined financial approach while expanding its capabilities through CHMS’ s depth of experience and resources, it said.
“ Over the past year, we’ ve made significant strides toward creating a stronger, more efficient, and more unified organization,” said Christina Armentano, President of NYPGA and Chief Operating Officer of Paraco Gas.“ Amy has been fantastic— she’ s elevated our operations, strengthened communication with our members, and built genuine collaboration across our committees. Partnering with Capitol Hill Management has also given us the professional infrastructure we needed to better serve our members and represent the industry’ s interests in Albany and beyond.”
The engagement with Capitol Hill Management Services has given NYPGA access to a professional backbone that supports all facets of association management— including administration, board coordination, financial oversight, and government relations, the group said. This structure allows volunteer leaders to concentrate on strategic direction and long-term goals while CHMS ensures seamless day-to-day execution, it said.
The results have been: clearer communication, faster responsiveness, and stronger alignment between leadership and committees. Members have noticed improvements in event coordination, policy engagement, and advocacy effectiveness, especially on issues impacting propane’ s position in New York’ s complex energy landscape.
Since stepping into the Executive
8 NOVEMBER 2025 | FUEL OIL NEWS | www. fueloilnews. com