Fred Seeman

Mystic — Fred Seeman passed away Sunday, Jan. 13, 2019. He was born March 7, 1924, in Vienna, Austria. He immigrated to the U.S. with his parents at the age of 14, settling in New York City. He graduated from high school at the age of 16 and began working as a diamond cutter while attending City College at night. He was drafted into the Army during World War II, and fought in the Pacific, where he was wounded in action, receiving both the Purple Heart and the Bronze Star. He was also naturalized as a U.S. citizen while in the Philippines. He returned to the U.S. and completed his studies at City College, graduating in 1947, then attending the Harvard Business School on the GI Bill, where he graduated in 1949, with honors.

He met his wife, Carol, in NYC, and they married in 1951. He is survived by Carol; his two sons, Chuck (Susan) of Norwich, and Bill (Ellen) of East Lyme; four grandchildren, Evan (Julia) of West Hartford, Brett (Janine) of Brooklyn, N.Y., Stephanie of Seattle, Wash., and Sara of Anchorage, Alaska, and one great-grandchild, Gigi of West Hartford.

Fred and Carol started Helikon Furniture Co. in 1959, opening its manufacturing operation in Norwich in 1969, eventually moving to Taftville at the Ponemah Mills, employing over 400 people. Helikon was a high end wood furniture manufacturer, selling furniture for the top executives of many Fortune 500 Companies and government offices, throughout the U.S., and internationally as well. Helikon was sold to Herman Miller in 1986. Fred was very active in the southeastern Connecticut community, serving on the boards of Chelsea Groton Bank and Backus Hospital. He was a member of Temple Emanu-el in Waterford.

Fred enjoyed his retirement, traveling extensively with Carol throughout the world. They particularly enjoyed cruises, traveling the seven seas on 86 different trips.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Lawrence + Memorial Hospital. No visiting hours are scheduled; the family will be honoring Fred privately. We want to thank all the wonderful nurses, aides and staff at Avalon Health Center for taking such great care of Fred during his final months.

Condolences can be made online at www.neilanfuneral-home.com.