Odyssey’s Muzzafar Mirza Dies At 49

Muzzafar “Muzzi” Mirza, co-founder of Odyssey Investment Partners, passed away at his home in Greenwich, Conn. on Friday, March 9, 2007 after a battle with pancreatic cancer. He was 49 years old.

Mirza joined Odyssey Partners, predecessor to Odyssey Investment Partners, as a principal in 1993. He helped found Odyssey Investment Partners in 1997, alongside colleagues Stephen Berger, William Hopkins and Brian Kwait. At the time of his death, Mirza served on the boards of Odyssey portfolio companies Dresser Inc., Neff Corp. and Norcross Safety Products.

Mirza began his private equity career in the early 1980s as a member of Marine Midland Bank’s first leveraged buyout finance group. He later ran the merchant banking group at GE Capital Corp. before leaving in 1993 to join Odyssey Partners.

Mirza was a native of Pakistan. He graduated from Claremont McKenna College, then went on to earn an MBA from the American Graduate School of International Management. He is survived by his wife Susan; his three children, Alexander, Christina and Sean; his mother Anis; and his brother Mustafa.

A memorial service is being planned for March 29 at the Hyatt Regency in Greenwich, Conn. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to:

Muzzi Mirza Pancreatic Cancer Research Fund

c/o Dr. John Chabot

New York Presbyterian Hospital

Pancreas Center

161 Ft. Washington Avenue

New York, NY 10032