Michael Reedy, 60, founder of Reedy International Corp., died Aug. 16 at his home in Keyport, N.J. He had been battling pancreatic cancer.
Reedy started the Keyport-based company in 1989 to provide environmentally responsible additives for the thermoplastic industry. The company's trademarked Safoam and Saftec brands are endothermic nucleating and foaming agents used to improve plastic processing efficiency, surface appearance and other physical properties. They are nontoxic and are designed to meet global emission requirements by replacing chlorofluorocarbons and hydro CFCs in many foam products.
He also developed a number of new additive products. He held various patents in the U.S. and internationally in the area of composition of matter and processes for producing polystyrene foams with CO2 and nitrogen independently or in combination with other gases.
Reedy was a board member of the Society of the Plastics Industry Inc., the Society of Plastics Engineers Foams Division and the Alliance of Plastic Processors. He participated in the United Nations Development Program on phasing out the use of CFCs in developing nations.
A native of Columbus, Ohio, he graduated from Ashland College, and also completed graduate work at St. John's University in New York and the Ohio State University.
He is survived by his wife, Anne Marie Reedy, who is vice president and chief financial officer of the company. He also leaves his four children: Elena Miller, vice president of operations; Peter Schroeck, chief business development officer; Bryan Burgess, vice president of global operations; and Kristen Reedy, finance assistant; and his brothers Richard Reedy Jr. and Rodger Reedy.
Visiting hours will be Tuesday evening, Aug. 20, at Shore Point Funeral Home in Hazlet, N.J. A service will be held Tuesday night.
