Funeral Details

Gerald Freedman

October 13, 1937 - October 10, 2024

SERVICE INFORMATION

Date and Time

Friday, October 11, 2024 at 2:00 PM

Memorial Service

Freedman Residence
100 East Bellevue, 33rd Floor
Chicago, Illinois 60611
Get Directions

Interment - Private

Memorial Contributions

American Cancer Society
P.O. Box 6704
Hagerstown, Maryland 21741
www.cancer.org
or
Jane Addams Resource Corporation – JARC
4432 North Ravenswood Avenue
Chicago, Illinois 60640
www.jarctraining.org




OBITUARY

Gerald Freedman, age 86

Beloved life partner of Elizabeth Sacks, husband of the late Ellen nee Gottlieb and the late Beverly nee Berke. Loving father of Wendy Freedman (Vince DiNunzio), Craig Freedman (Jessica Robbins), David (Cindy) Cohen, Daniel (Jodi) Smith-Cohen, Julie Cohen, Steve (Robin Newberger) Sacks, Ken (Susan Nieland) Sacks, Rian (Darrell) Thompson. Proud grandfather of Alex (Keyauna) Cohen, Ethan Cohen, Jake Borsuk, Joshua Smith-Cohen, Nora Smith-Cohen, Milo Borsuk, Ruby Schneider, Natalie Schneider, Teddy Cohen, Eli Smith-Cohen, Jackson Tsao-Wu Jia Freedman, Camille Bei Tsao-Wu Freedman, Andrew Sacks, Samantha Sacks, Frances Sacks, Dorothea Sacks, Cooper Thompson, Lucas Hitchell, Reed Hitchell, and Emmett Hitchell. Cherished great grandfather of Bjorn, Ivan and Asa. Dear brother of Gail (Sam) Seelig and the late Allen (Devra) Freedman.
Jerry was a vibrant soul whose boundless energy fueled a life filled with adventure. Born at Edgewater Hospital in Chicago, he spent his years in the Chicagoland area. A proud IIT graduate, he dedicated 60 years to leading the family business, Freedman Seating.
No matter the time or place, Jerry showed up for every event, demonstrating his unwavering commitment to family and friends. His kindness and generosity touched everyone he encountered, and family meant everything to him. He deeply valued his friendships, always fostering connections and creating lasting memories. Jerry loved tennis, skiing in Beaver Creek, and exploring the globe, but his happiest moments were spent at his Nippersink lake house, surrounded by loved ones. As a mentor to many, he left a lasting impact on everyone who knew him.
Services were held Friday, October 11th at 2:00PM for friends and family at 100 E. Bellevue, Chicago, 33rd floor. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 6704, Hagerstown, MD 21741, www.cancer.org or the Jane Addams Resource Corporation – JARC, 4432 N. Ravenswood Avenue, Chicago, IL 60640, www.jarctraining.org. To attend the funeral livestream, please visit our website. Arrangements by Chicago Jewish Funerals - Skokie Chapel, 847.229.8822, www.cjfinfo.com


GUEST BOOK

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Gerald Freedman was one of the most nicest person I have ever had the privilege of seeing on a daily basis, a caring man that made every conversation and every encounter comfortable. I work in the building that Mr. Freedman lived in as a doorman, and an uplifting moment with him was always giving you a fist pound when entering and leaving the building, it might sound like something so small but if you knew Mr. Freedman you knew the aura he had and how something as little as that could make someone's day better in an instant. There were days I was having a rough day or personal life was bothering me but he was always a factor in bringing my mood back up and I will always cherish that moment. From the outside, as building staff we could tell Mr. Freedman was extremely loved and admired by his family and friends, I can gladly say, from all the staff we appreciated Mr. Freedman on so many levels, there are not many people that make you feel like family but he was one of them, you will remain always in our hearts Mr. Freedman and you will be heavily missed.

Jay Chavez
October 10, 2024
Jerry was like a perfect wine that blended with any meal - no matter whom he met, he was always gracious, kind, and considerate to them.
He was our Captain of our tennis games , and always had his 4 aces & 4 two's available for us to know who would be playing first. When he was born,
the mold was thrown away !!! Jerry was " one in a million" !

JIMMY GOLDING
October 10, 2024
We will miss Jerry beyond measure ~ he was a treasured part of our Rustic Canyon 🎾 family. May he rest peacefully now out of pain and in a place where he can play all the tennis 24/7 he wants.
Love you Jerry….
Marina and Harry

Marina Drasnin
October 10, 2024
It was such a joy playing tennis with Jerry. He brought such light and fun to our group and he was obviously a loving father. I am blessed to have known him. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.

Dave and Lisa

Lisa Fitzmaurice
October 10, 2024
A remarkable and loving mensch. They broke the mold when Jer was born. May his memory forever be a blessing. May we all be filled with his light and laughter. I love you Papa Jer. Thank you for decades of friendship.

beth lane
October 10, 2024
How fitting that my amazing brother Jerry passed away on 10/10 because that is what he was, A perfect 10,
He was the best big brother a girl could ask for.
Jer had a kind and generous soul. He was always surrounded by the people that loved him for the person he was.
He had an amazing life that ended way too soon.
We all have great shared memories, laughs and stories of times spent with him.
He will be missed dearly. I'm sending my love and condolences to all the many lives he touched.
As Elizabeth says, "Jer was our precious person"
May he rest in peace.
Gail

Gail Seelig
October 10, 2024
Sending love and light to his soul’s journey onwards..
Honored to have met you..

Marc St.Camille
October 11, 2024
Uncle Jerry was so cool! Wat a great man with a great sense of humor and adventure. Just loved visiting/exploring Aunt Ellen and Uncle Jerry's old house. Ellen and Jerry were both 10/10 and both passed on 10/10 exactly 20 years apart. Amazing! RIP and may his memory be a blessing.

- Jeff, Emily, Ernie and all the Gottliebs.

Jeff Gottlieb
October 11, 2024
Dear Wendy, Craig and Elizabeth ,
I am so sorry for your profound loss of your beloved father and partner.
In the tradition of Judaism , we say to the mourners, ‘May you be comforted with the mourners of Zion’.
I will be with you at the funeral and I wish I could be there in person.
Sending my love, Sossie

Sossie Vanek
October 11, 2024
He’ll be missed

Mandy paa Pava
October 11, 2024
Jerry will be missed!
I loVed seeing Jerry & Wendy as partners on the tennis court. The two of them with their Similar running style, they even served in a similar manner.
Jerry always had a big smile on his face and you could tell how much he loves spending time with his beautiful daughter Wendy. A true family man🩵

Wendy Brazill
October 11, 2024
We will miss your smile and energy and love. You were such a bright light in our family. Love you!

Jillian Rydell
October 11, 2024
Mr. Freedman will always be remembered. He’s a big man with a big heart devoted to his extended family. God bless for a good rest to you.

Nancy Tsao-Wu
October 11, 2024
I was the luckiest person to love and to be loved by an extraordinary man, and I’ll always cherish that love. I’ll forever be grateful for the last 18 1/2 years. I’m comforted by the thought that he’s now in the arms of the loved ones who preceded him.

Jer’s Elizabeth

Elizabeth Sacks
October 11, 2024
All of my interactions with Gerry were wonderful. He was so lovely and caring whenever he saw me, and a great listener. HE was an absolute joy to be around, and that was just the tip of the iceberg. He was there for his family whenever he needed and loved them above all else. He will truly be missed.

Lauren Morales
October 11, 2024
Dear Freedman and Cohen Family,

My heart goes out to all of you during this very difficult time. Jerry was a mensch to everyone who knew him and he will be dearly missed.

Sending love to all of you.

Xoxo,

Elizabeth Kretchmer
October 11, 2024
Bhagavad Gita: Chapter 2, Verse 20
BG 2.20: The soul is neither born, nor does it ever die; nor having once existed, does it ever cease to be. The soul is without birth, eternal, immortal, and ageless. It is not destroyed when the body is destroyed

Devra Freedman
October 12, 2024
To Craig and Wendy… I send you love and only the remembrance of fun and sweet memories. He was full of life and also gave that zest for living to you both. Love to you all❤️

Janet Dabner
October 12, 2024
I was so lucky to have known him. A really great guy!!!!

Bill Minderhout
October 12, 2024
I so much enjoyed our battles on the tennis court. Jerry and Wendy against me and my dad. You could run like no other.

Jeff Minderhout
October 12, 2024
A extraordinary father , brother and friend. It was always a blessing to be in his company. Everyone was always so happy when Jer came to California. He will be greatly missed. Love ❤️ and light to his family and my best friend his sister Gail❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

Leslie Goldstein
October 13, 2024
My heart is full because of Jer. Thank you Jer, for being a constant & incredible source of infinite love & kindness in my life for my entire life. Your wisdom will continue to guide me along with your gentle kindness in how to treat others & navigate this world. Jer & my mom (Ellen) imparted a masterclass approach to travel, adventures & living life to its fullest. My life is so enriched by having you as one of my parents. I love you ❤️

Julie Cohen
October 16, 2024