1917
Eli
2017
Eli Freedman
November 29, 1917 — July 24, 2017
Biography
WORCESTER - Eli Freedman, 99, died peacefully on Monday, July 24th at Overlook Masonic Health Center. He leaves his children, Karen Jimmerson, Jay and his wife, Lynn, Barry and his wife, Christine Chase, Beth and her husband, Reujen Rosen, Sharon and her husband, Myles Akabas, Jayne and her husband, William Quinn, Judy Fask, Barbara and her husband, Bruce Yap; 17 grandchildren; 15 great grandchildren; a son-in-law, Rick Fask; and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his wife of 65 years, Rebecca Gertrude (Schwartzberg) Freedman, as well as his nine siblings. Eli was born in Worcester, son of Harris and Celia Freedman and graduated from Commerce High School. An avid athlete, he started Olympic Sports Co. and Olympic Trophy Mfg. Co. with his brother Archie in 1939 where they were later joined by brothers Joe and Mike. He entered the U.S. Army in 1941 and was discharged from the U.S. Air Corp with the rank of Captain in 1946. He married Rebecca Schwartzberg in February 1947 and they were together for 65 years until her death in 2012, raising their family of eight children. He was involved in many community and charitable organizations including the Civitan Club of Worcester, Jimmy Fund, Boys & Girls Club, YMCA, Jewish Community Center and Jewish War Vets. He also was involved as an instructor for blind skiers at Mt. Tom in Holyoke. He had many interests which he shared with his family ranging from golf, skiing, racquetball, tennis, swimming, hiking, camping to bridge, other card games and especially backgammon, which he played tirelessly with his wife, children and basically anyone else who would want to play. Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Wednesday, July 26 at the Beth Israel Synagogue, 15 Jamesbury Drive, Worcester under the direction of Richard Perlman of Miles Funeral Home of Holden. Burial will be in Holy Society Cemetery. Memorial Observance will be held Wednesday, July 26, from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m., Thursday, July 27, from 12 Noon until 4:00 p.m. and again from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. and Friday, July 28, from 12 Noon until 5:00 p.m. at the residence of Judy Freedman Fask, 116 Mower Street, Worcester. A Minyan service will be held Wednesday and Thursday evenings at 7:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in his name to Boys & Girls Club of Worcester, 65 Tainter Street, Worcester, MA 01610 and The Jimmy Fund, P. O. 849168, Boston, MA 02284-9168.
Funeral Service
Wednesday
July 26, 2017
,
1:00 PM
at
Beth Israel Synagogue
Click for Map and Directions
Interment
Wednesday
July 26, 2017
,
2:00 PM
at
Holy Society Cemetery
Click for Map and Directions
WORCESTER - Eli Freedman, 99, died peacefully on Monday, July 24th at Overlook Masonic Health Center. He leaves his children, Karen Jimmerson, Jay and his wife, Lynn, Barry and his wife, Christine Chase, Beth and her husband, Reujen Rosen, Sharon and her husband, Myles Akabas, Jayne and her husband, William Quinn, Judy Fask, Barbara and her husband, Bruce Yap; 17 grandchildren; 15 great grandchildren; a son-in-law, Rick Fask; and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his wife of 65 years, Rebecca Gertrude (Schwartzberg) Freedman, as well as his nine siblings. Eli was born in Worcester, son of Harris and Celia Freedman and graduated from Commerce High School. An avid athlete, he started Olympic Sports Co. and Olympic Trophy Mfg. Co. with his brother Archie in 1939 where they were later joined by brothers Joe and Mike. He entered the U.S. Army in 1941 and was discharged from the U.S. Air Corp with the rank of Captain in 1946. He married Rebecca Schwartzberg in February 1947 and they were together for 65 years until her death in 2012, raising their family of eight children. He was involved in many community and charitable organizations including the Civitan Club of Worcester, Jimmy Fund, Boys & Girls Club, YMCA, Jewish Community Center and Jewish War Vets. He also was involved as an instructor for blind skiers at Mt. Tom in Holyoke. He had many interests which he shared with his family ranging from golf, skiing, racquetball, tennis, swimming, hiking, camping to bridge, other card games and especially backgammon, which he played tirelessly with his wife, children and basically anyone else who would want to play. Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Wednesday, July 26 at the Beth Israel Synagogue, 15 Jamesbury Drive, Worcester under the direction of Richard Perlman of Miles Funeral Home of Holden. Burial will be in Holy Society Cemetery. Memorial Observance will be held Wednesday, July 26, from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m., Thursday, July 27, from 12 Noon until 4:00 p.m. and again from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. and Friday, July 28, from 12 Noon until 5:00 p.m. at the residence of Judy Freedman Fask, 116 Mower Street, Worcester. A Minyan service will be held Wednesday and Thursday evenings at 7:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in his name to Boys & Girls Club of Worcester, 65 Tainter Street, Worcester, MA 01610 and The Jimmy Fund, P. O. 849168, Boston, MA 02284-9168.
Funeral Service
Wednesday
July 26, 2017
,
1:00 PM
at
Beth Israel Synagogue
Click for Map and Directions
Interment
Wednesday
July 26, 2017
,
2:00 PM
at
Holy Society Cemetery
Click for Map and Directions
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