SARATOGA SPRINGS — Richard H. Freeman, 86, passed away on Sunday, December 9, 2018 at home after a valiant battle with lung cancer.
Richard was born August 10, 1932, in Clearfield PA, to Charles Freeman and Clara Wise Freeman. He lost his mother at age seven and spent his early years living with various relatives and in foster homes. He told many fascinating stories of growing up during the depression in the coal mining communities of western PA. At the age of 13, Richard left foster care to live with his brother who had just finished his service in the Navy during WWII. In 1951, he followed in his brother’s footsteps and enlisted in the US Navy. He was a tin can sailor, serving aboard the USS Stoddard until his discharge in 1955.
After working for several years in the Niagara Falls and Massena areas, Richard began a career in Consumer Finance, first with Household Finance, and later with Signal Financial Corp, subsidiary of Corestates Financial. In 1967, he relocated with his family to Ballston Spa, to manage the Albany office located at Colonie Center and later Computer Drive. He was active in the Ballston Spa Lions Club, serving as past President, Deputy District Governor, and 20Y2 District News Editor. Upon his retirement in 1992 from Signal Corp. as Assistant Vice President/Senior Manager, he became a driver for Home Delivered Meals, serving clients on the Saratoga Lake/Malta route for 13 years. He began spending winters on Anna Maria Island, FL, and purchased a second home there in 2002 where he enjoyed the company of other retirees playing tennis, biking, welcoming family and friends to enjoy the sun and beautiful beach.
In addition to his parents, Richard was predeceased by two brothers, Charles R. Freeman of Sanborn, NY, Russell Freeman, Saratoga Springs and a sister, Virginia Wactor, of Richmond, VA.
Survivors include his wife of almost 40 years, Evelyn; three daughters; Holly Jones, (Dennis) of Shelburne VT, Crista Cron (Stefan) of Zurich, Switzerland, and Mary Kurzon of Albany; two sons; Jeffrey Freeman (Eleanor) of Seattle, WA, Mark Freeman (Chelsea MA) and their mother, Mary C. Freeman, of Albany; two stepsons; Scott Hays (Susan) of Greenfield Center and Timothy Hays (Virginia) of Gansevoort.; 15 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren, with a 5th due in May.
Relatives and friends gathered to remember him on Tuesday, December 18 at the William J. Burke and Sons Funeral Home, 628 North Broadway, Saratoga Springs (518-584-5373). Funeral services were held Wednesday, December 19, at the funeral home followed by burial with military honors at Gerald H. Solomon National Cemetery, Schuylerville.
Donations are appreciated by the family to Bugles Across America NFP, c/o Tom Day, Founder, 1824 S. Cuyler Ave., Berwyn IL, 60402-2052, or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or Stjude.org; or a charity of one’s choice.
Online remembrances may be made at burkefuneralhome.com.
