Paul David Freedman

Mr. Paul David Freedman died on March 6th, 2008, from accidental injuries suffered at his Shallows home in Sault Ste. Marie. He was a Viet Nam Era Veteran, having served in the U.S. Navy for four years, earning the Navy Achievement Medal, Navy Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, five Commander's Commendation Awards, and numerous service medals. He was a founding member of the Beverly-Fairfax Community Patrol in Los Angeles, California, was Executive Director of The Beverly-Fairfax Chamber of Commerce for eight years, and a member of The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce. He was also advisor to the Fairfax High School and Community Adult School in Los Angeles. During the 1970's, Paul was the host of "Artistic Ventures" on CJIC Television and also hosted radio interview programs on CKCY-AM and CKCY-FM radio in Sault, Ontario. He also worked many years in the public relations department of the Stratford, Ontario Theatre Festival, was manager of the Gartshore Music Company and the Gartshore Conservatory of Music, and was Public Relations Director for the Algoma Music Camp on St. Joseph Island. He also managed the Allied Arts Council in Sault, Ontario and was a founding member of the Sault Area Arts Council in Sault, Michigan. Mr. Freedman was very active in political affairs in both California and Michigan. His participation involved Public Relations Director for Mayor Tom Bradley of Los Angeles, as well as campaign manager for several L.A. City Council members. During his work with the city of Los Angeles, he was designated a "Distinguished Member of the California Press Bureau." In Michigan, he worked on campaigns of former State Senator Mitch Irwin, State Representative Pat Gagliardi, Senator George McManus, and several Sault Mayoral and City Commission candidates. Paul received numerous community service awards from former President Ronald Reagan, former California Governor George Deukmejian, and U.S. Senators Alan Cranston and John Glenn. He served under former Michigan Governor Milliken on the Michigan Council for the Arts Advisory Board. He had received in excess of twenty separate awards from the city and county of Los Angeles and the State of California for his many contributions to non-profit groups, and the California Legislative Assembly passed a Resolution honoring him in 1989. Following his service and employment in California, Mr. Freedman returned to Sault, Michigan to pursue a writing and service-oriented career. In the Sault, Paul was a member of the Chippewa County Historical Society where he conducted numerous interviews for the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs. His extensive list of actions for the Oral History Program included the Puller Stadium 60th Anniversary, the Sault Fire Hall 100th Anniversary Centennial Celebration, which he initiated, and the Kemp Industrial Museum interviews regarding Sault Industrial History. He also spearheaded the calendar project for "Historical Sault Ste. Marie." He created the "Beneath the Shining Light" book about the Whitefish Point Lighthouse, and the eloquent biographical sketch of the lighthouse longtime resident, Ms. Bertha Rollo. Additionally, he was the leader and initiator for the Sault's "Verna Lawrence Appreciation Day." He was also an Originating Member of the Sault Environmental Awareness Group "C.A.R.E," and a Property Tax Protestors group in the Shallows area. In addition to being a Founding Member of the Soo Area Arts Council, Paul was official photographer and philanthropist for the Alberta House Arts Center, a Board Member of Soo Community Theater, and an active member of the Crisp's Point Lighthouse Society. He was co-organizer for the McKinley School Reunion, which brought together many present and former Sault residents and school attendees. He was a 29-year member of the Elks Club (BPOE), and twice honored as the "Elk of the Year." Paul was a Life Member of the "Vietnam Veterans of America," and a State of Michigan appointee to the Chippewa County Veterans Trust Fund Committee. He has served on the Seal Trust Fund Board of Directors and the Chippewa County Remonumentation Committee. And he was twice selected by readers of The Evening News as "Best Volunteer Worker" and once selected by readers as the "Best Civic Leader." He was pre-deceased by his life-companion Shin Kim, his father and mother, Lourya and Ruth Freedman, and his brother, Dr. Lourya K. Freedman. He is survived by his twin brother Lt Colonel (ret.) Gary M. Freedman of Jonesboro, Georgia, his sister Beverly Tankersley of the Sault, and six nieces and nephews. Mr. Freedman will be cremated, with a Memorial Service at C.S. Mulder Funeral Home, Wednesday, March 12. Visitation will be from noon until 2 p.m., with the Memorial Service at 2 p.m. Internment of ashes will be in the Freedman Family Remembrance Area at the Shallows in July 2008. The family requests remembrances to the American Cancer Society.

Tributes

Paul David Freedman

January 26, 1944 - March 6, 2008