Richard George Freeman

Richard George Freeman, 79, of Trumbull, passed away on Tuesday, December 19th, at Bridgeport Hospital, surrounded by his loving family, after a lengthy illness. Richard was born in East Providence, Rhode Island, on March 16, 1944, son of the late Richard and Mary (Dillon) Freeman. The second of three sons, he grew up in a modest house in Rumford, Rhode Island, located on the banks of the Ten Mile River. He spent much of his childhood fishing and hunting muskrats and mink on the river. He also worked as a caddy at the Agawam Hunt Club in Rumford, where his lifelong love of the game of golf began. After graduating from East Providence High School, Richie enlisted in the Marine Corps and went to Parris Island to undergo basic training. Upon graduation from basic training, he was deployed overseas and was part of the second landing force sent to Vietnam in 1965. During his time in service, he earned the Combat Ribbon, Presidential Unit Citation, and the Cross of Gallantry. Richie was a proud Marine and described his time in service to his country as one of the most transformative experiences in his life. After his tour in Vietnam ended, he was stationed at Waikele Marine Barracks on the island of Oahu, where he met his wife, Mary. Upon his discharge from the Marines, Richie moved with Mary to Connecticut to raise their family. He worked as a carpenter’s apprentice and later became a skilled carpenter. He then had a long and successful career in the construction and custom millwork business. He was always working on a home improvement project and happily lent his carpentry skills to family and friends. Richie took immense joy in spending time with his children and grandchildren, especially at their athletic events and when he traveled with them to the beaches of Cape Cod, Rhode Island, Florida, and, later in life, South Dartmouth. Richie was an avid golfer and enjoyed playing golf with his friends and golf league for many years at Tashua Knolls Golf Course in Trumbull. As his illness progressed, Richie’s can-do, and positive attitude was on full display when he devised a contraption that allowed him to swing a golf club while carrying an oxygen pack around his shoulders. Richie leaves his loving wife of 57 years, Mary (Ciarmiello) Freeman; a daughter, Cynthia Smith and her husband William of Bethany, CT and their daughter, Alexandra of Wallingford, CT; a daughter, Melissa Murray and her husband Sean and their children, Bridget, Nora and Patrick of Worcester, MA; a dear brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Ralph and Pam Ciarmiello of Fairfield, CT, and their children, Christopher and Kaitlin. He was predeceased by his beloved grandson, Luke Richard Smith, and his brothers, Kenneth and David Freeman. Calling Hours will be Wednesday, December 27th, from 4 to 7 p.m. at Edward F. Adzima Funeral Home, 253 Elizabeth Street, Derby. A Mass of Christian Burial with Military Honors will be celebrated at Our Lady of the Assumption Church, 81 Center Road, Woodbridge, on Thursday, December 28th, at 11 a.m. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions be made to the Luke R. Smith Foundation, 22 Miller Road, Bethany, CT 06524. Friends may leave condolences at www.adzimafh. com .