Charles Fried Obituary

FRIED Charles Fried, age 60, of Lake Worth, Florida, died on Monday, March 28, 2005, at his home in Florida after a courageous and heroic battle with diabetes. Until moving to Florida last September, he had lived in Fairfield for 31 years. Charlie, a graduate of Queens College, had been the vice-president of finance and administration and a partner at the Avraham Y. Goldratt Institute in New Haven. Charlie Fried was a tireless and beloved leader in countless community organizations, having served as chairman of the Board of The Kennedy Center in Bridgeport, president of Congregation B'nai Israel in Bridgeport, vice-chairman of the Connecticut affiliate of the American Diabetes Association and later founding member of the Fairfield-Bridgeport Chapter of the Association, vice-chairman of Community Health Charities of South Central Connecticut, vice-president of the Northeast Council of the Union for Reform Judaism, and assistant treasurer of the Probus Club. Charlie also served on the boards of the American Diabetes Association, the United Way, the Jewish Federation of Greater Bridgeport, the North American Board of the World Union for Progressive Judaism, and Prevent Blindness Connecticut. Charlie also served as a member of the Selective Service Board in Connecticut. In addition to his many charitable and civic endeavors, Charlie also was well known throughout the country as one of the "supercollectors¤ of Stephen King books and memorabilia and at one time owned one of the five most important Stephen King collections in the world. He also appeared in Who's Who in America for many years. Charlie is survived by his devoted wife Denise; two loving children, Shari Fox and her husband Aaron of Northboro, Mass, and Marc Fried and his wife Debra of Briarcliff Manor, N.Y,; by a sister, Rose Huttas of Woodland Hills, Calif; a brother, Brom Fried of Pacifica, Calif; and by countless friends who will cherish his memory. Graveside funeral services will take place at Eternal Light Memorial Gardens in Boynton Beach, Fla, at 10 a.m. on March 30, 2005. A memorial service in Connecticut will be announced at a later date. Donations in Charlie's memory may be made to the American Diabetes Association or to Congregation B'nai Israel.

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Published by Connecticut Post on Mar. 30, 2005.

Memories and Condolences
for Charles Fried

10 Entries

Shaun Nauman

January 16, 2024

Charlie was an amazing human. I only recently learned of his passing but think of him often. I will never be able to thank him enough for the information he provided on his Stephen King book collection. His sphere of influence, generous heart, and infectious passion for collecting books are where our paths crossed.

Though he chose to remain behind the curtains, his influence could be felt throughout the crowd. You will be dearly missed.

George Beahm

April 8, 2005

Charlie Fried was an extraordinary person in so many ways. Though his entry in WHO'S WHO filled many inches, his other accomplishments and kindnesses would fill a large book -- and still not match in size his boundless heart. At a Stephen King talk in Bangor, when Charlie found out that some kids couldn't afford to go, he donated money and had dozens of them in the front row. He never asked to be recognized and, in fact, would preferred to remain behind the scenes and anonymous, but if you had Charlie in your life, you knew what an unfailingly kind and gentle soul he was, and how he enriched our lives beyond measure.

Roy Robbins

April 7, 2005

I sold many King books to Charlie over the years. I finally had the pleasure of meeting him in 1998 in Bangor ME. I will always remember his kind heart and warm smile. May God Bless the memory and survivors of Charlie.

Dee Jacob

April 4, 2005

I had the pleasure of knowing Charlie first as a customer of the Goldratt Institute and then as one of his partners there for fourteen year.

He was a pleasure to work with - providing humor, insight and direction - all at the right times. He was devoted to many causes and passions - from the Kennedy Center to Steven King. He was an inspiration, as is Denise, on how to handle illness with quiet strength, humor and perseverence.

I will miss you.

Chris Cavalier

April 4, 2005

My wife and I met Charlie several years ago at a Stephen King reading. We had both heard of each other and looked forward to meeting. We became friends in less then 1 minute.

I will miss our "King" conversations and our spirited bidding competition on Ebay. I will miss the gentleness and inner peace that he conveyed. I am proud to have been called his friend.

Our condolences to Denise and his children.

God Bless, Charlie

Gerald Winters

April 3, 2005

While I only had the pleasure of knowing Charlie via e-mail, he was a gentleman and a great provider of information on Stephen King, a passion we both shared.

I am proud that the rarest items in my library came from Charlie's library.

His help and time was greatly appreciated. God Bless you Charlie.

Bev Vincent

April 2, 2005

Though we never met face to face, and only spoke on the phone once or twice, Charlie was a great friend of mine for many years, since the first time he got in touch with me by e-mail.

There was so much more to him than he would ever talk about. He preferred to remain behind the scenes, doing his great works often without credit or accolade.

I will miss him.

Stephen Spignesi

April 2, 2005

Charlie was a dear, dear friend and I express my deepest condolences to Deniece and his children. Charlie was one of the finest people I have ever had the privilege to know. He will be greatly missed.

Donna Direnzo

April 1, 2005

Charlie was my boss for many years at the Institute. He taught me how to think "out of the box" as I approached difficulties at work as well as in my personal life. I put him in touch with author Peter Straub, who was an aquaintance of mine, several years ago so that Charlie could talk about Stephen King who was one of Charlie's greatest passions. Mr. Straub colaborated with King on many endeavors. My condolences to Denise, his children, and his friends.

Donna Direnzo

Harriet Harris

March 30, 2005

My deepest condolences to the family. I worked with Charlie at COI and the Institute. His expertise will be sorely missed in all endeavors.

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