Eugene Freedman, 82, Was Enesco Founding Chair
By Staff -- Gifts and Dec, 2/22/2008 7:30:00 AM
Maui, HI – Eugene Freedman, founding chairman and former president and CEO of Enesco Group Inc., passed away on Tuesday, February 19, in Hawaii, where he had a second home. He was 82.
Freedman joined Enesco at its founding in 1958; he became president and CEO in the late 196
0s, a position he held for more than 30 years before retiring in 2005. During his tenure he helped develop the Precious Moments line of collectible figurines.
Even after retirement Freedman continued to maintain a presence in the industry. He served as “Ambassador of Goodwill” for Precious Moments Inc. when that company took ownership of the Precious Moments figurine line, and also lent a hand to gift vendor Starlite Originals, which produced a line of collectibles, Elisa's Safari, named in honor of Freedman’s granddaughter..
Before joining Enesco, Freedman attended Northwestern University and the California Institute of Technology. A World War II veteran, he received his naval officer's commission from Notre Dame University. He joined the gift industry in the late 1940s as a salesman for a Milwaukee-based gift and novelty company, subsequently opening his own manufacturing and distribution company under the name Gene Freedman.
Freedman’s philanthropic endeavors earned him well-deserved recognition. He received the Gift for Life’s Chuck Yancy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2001 for his efforts to fight AIDS, the Boys and Girls Clubs of America's Herbert Hoover Humanitarian award in 2004, and the Easter Seals National Philanthropist of the Year award in 2005. Freedman was also honored with the Congressional Ellis Island Medal of Honor, and a special recognition award from the National Association of Limited Edition Dealers (NALED), among many other awards.
Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, February 26 at 2:00 pm at Congregation Emanu-El B'ne Jeshurun, 2020 West Brown Deer Rd., River Hills, WI 53217. Interment will follow at Greenwood Cemetery, 2615 W. Cleveland Ave. Milwaukee, WI 53215. Following the burial, the family will host a reception at Brynwood Golf and Country Club, 6200 W. Good Hope Rd., Milwaukee, WI 53223.
In lieu of flowers, the Freedman family is requesting donations be made to either Boys and Girls Clubs of America or Easter Seals.
Mr. Freedman was truly a class act. I had the pleasure of working with him for only a short while, but he truly had a lasting impact on me. I think about him often...he is missed by many.
Lori Jenschke - 2009-03-31 16:01:00 EDT
It was such a pleasure to meet Mr. Freedman over the years, from Vermont to Hawaii:and being at his retirement party in Hawaii. Prayers go out to his lovely wife and family. It was an honor to meet such a caring and friendly couple in my journey here.
Bonnie Hodgdon - 2008-04-28 12:48:00 EDT
I'm so glad to have met Gene Freedman, I was glad to have my picture made with him one more time on the cruse. He was a wonderful person and I will miss him.
Dean Eastin - 2008-02-26 15:36:00 EST
He was a great man, a man who always had a smile on his face, a man's man,and as my husband Harry said an elegant man who was down to earth, a gentleman's gentleman. He always joined in at all events with such vigor and enthusiasm. He never seemed to tire. We all will miss him deeply. Cathy & Harry Copeland, formerly of Ridley Park, Pa. but residents of Davenport, Fl. as of 2/2/08
Catherine - 2008-02-26 10:57:00 EST
A lot could be said about Gene Freedman but one thing
I will always remembered him for is that everytime he
talked he always ended with the words, "The Best is
yet to come!" I think those words have a lot to teach all of us and I think of them often. Gene certainly
knows how TRUE those words are today! I''ll always
think of them as his legacy to us! Peace to his wife, Ruth, and family at this time. May they find comfort in knowing he is in a better place and has touched many lives!
Sheila Laemmle - 2008-02-25 21:55:00 EST
I will always remembered him for is that everytime he
talked he always ended with the words, "The Best is
yet to come!" I think those words have a lot to teach all of us and I think of them often. Gene certainly
knows how TRUE those words are today! I''ll always
think of them as his legacy to us! Peace to his wife, Ruth, and family at this time. May they find comfort in knowing he is in a better place and has touched many lives!
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