Charlton MA - James F. Freeman, 89, passed away on Friday, March 8th at the Overlook Masonic Healthcare Center, Charlton MA, after a brief illness.  He had been diagnosed with Vascular Dementia in 2022.

He leaves his best friend and beloved wife of 62 years, Patricia J. (Bayley) Freeman; a daughter, Susan (Karl) Moisan of North Grafton, MA; a sister, Mary Blackwell of Old Greenwich, CT; a sister-in-law, Ruth Freeman of Florida; three grandchildren, Alyssa (Louis) Johnson, William (Kelly) Moisan, Cassandra Moisan, and a great grandson, Hendrix Johnson.  He was predeceased by his brother, William G. Freeman.

Jim was born in Greenwich, CT, the son of the late William G. and Mary F. (Fahnestock) Freeman.  He graduated from Brunswick School in 1953 prior to attending St. Lawrence University, where he received a bachelor's degree in sociology.  Jim enlisted in the Connecticut Army National Guard in July of 1957.  He attended basic training at Fort Dix in New Jersey and then onto Artillery School at Fort Sill in Oklahoma.  In October of 1961 most of his guard unit was called up during the Berlin Crisis to an Army artillery reserve unit in Stamford, CT.  The reserve unit was then activated and assigned to the 101st Airborne Division at Fort Bragg, NC for a year.  In May of 1963, Jim was Honorably Discharged.

In 1966, Jim and his wife opened "The Ridgefield Sport and Toy Caboose" in Ridgefield , CT selling toys and sporting goods in the back of an antique store.  As their business grew, they built their own building on 23 Governor Street and expanded the products they sold to include clothing, skis, and skiwear.  Jim was active in the Ridgefield community, where he and his wife initiated the town's very popular Halloween Walk.  Jim served as President of the Ridgefield Chamber of Commerce and sponsored many youth athletic teams.

Fortunate to enjoy an early retirement, the Freemans moved to Cape Cod, then on to Florida, before taking residence in Massachusetts in 2022 to be closer to family.  Jim loved outdoor activities which included gardening, hiking, and canoeing.  He also enjoyed traveling to various National Parks, Europe, St. Thomas, as well as various other islands in the Caribbean and the Bahamas.  Taking his grandchildren on several of these trips brought him great joy.

Jim was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, and friend.  He will be missed.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, April 27th at 11:00 am, at The Overlook in the Masonic Home Theater, 88 Masonic Home Rd., Charlton, MA.  There are no calling hours.

Memorial contributions may be made to: https://www.overlook-mass.org/support-overlook/ Rose Garden or Team Appreciation Fund in honor of James Freeman.

The Daniel T. Morrill Funeral Home, 130 Hamilton St., Southbridge, is assisting the family with arrangements.