Joseph Campbell Friedman

March 26, 1948-January 13, 2018

Joe Friedman passed away at the age of 69 of lung cancer on January 13th, 2018, his devoted wife Leslie by his side. From diagnosis to death was less than one month. Joe never smoked. Earlier this month he dictated some final thoughts: “I have had a wonderful life, trite as that sounds, and will leave this world as fully satisfied as one can reasonably expect. I am at peace with that [death] and have enormous gratitude for the life that I have lived so far.” Gratitude was a fundamental theme of Joe’s life.

Joe was born on March 26, 1948 to Dr. Meyer Friedman and Dr. Macia Friedman. Joe attended public schools Marin county, California, and then Yale University, graduating in 1970. After a year teaching in Greece, he entered U.C. Berkeley School of Law (Boalt Hall) and graduated with honors in 1974. He became a trial attorney with a San Francisco law firm, Scampini, Mortara and Harris. In February 1990, he joined the San Francisco law firm of Wild, Bowman & Zaragoza (later Wild, Carey & Fife) which specialized in personal injury and insurance coverage. Joe loved the actual practice of law far more than law school.

Joe married Cindy Ewing in 1978 but the marriage dissolved in 1989. Joe married Leslie de Leeuw on January 11, 1999.

Joe served as foreman of the 2000-2001 Marin County Grand Jury, and subsequently was appointed commissioner on the California Parole Board.

Joe frequently said that the best decision he ever made was to retire before turning fifty in order to devote himself to his books, friends, family, travel, and hiking his beloved Mt. Tam. He also was involved in community service, particularly Marin Villages, an organization dedicated to helping seniors live in their own homes and providing the services they need. Friends and family admired him for his intelligence, quick wit, sense of humor, and kindness.

Joe Friedman is survived by his wife, Leslie de Leeuw, brother Mark Friedman, sister Joyce Libeu, five nieces and nephews, and nine grand nieces and nephews.

A celebration of Joe’s life will be held at a later date.

Donations in his memory can be made to Marin Villages, 4340 Redwood Highway, Ste F-142, San Rafael, CA 94903