Edward Louis Friedman

Edward Louis Friedman, Z"L, 87, of West Hartford, died on Thursday, June 19, 2014. He was the husband of Esia (Shoag Baran) Friedman. Born in Meriden, he was the son of Isidore and Esther (Rock) Friedman. He was predeceased by his brother Sidney Friedman. He graduated from Meriden High School in 1944. He was a US Army veteran of WWII, a past Commander of the West Hartford American Legion Post 96, and a member of the Jewish War Veterans, Laurel Post #45. He was a proud alumnus of MIT, RPI, and Yale. He was a registered professional engineer in Connecticut and Vermont. He was a project engineer for Chandler Evans for 11 years and was responsible for the development of the fuel control for the P&W J57 jet engine which powered the F100 aircraft, making it the first jet to break the sound barrier in level flight. He was a full-time Professor of Electrical Engineering in the University of Hartford, retiring in 1992 after 30 years of service. He served as Chairman of the UH Faculty Senate and as Assistant to the President under Dr. Archibald M. Woodruff and Dr. Stephen Joel Trachtenberg. He was Chairman of the Secular Department of the Board of Education of the Hebrew Academy under Rabbi Chaim Madetsky. Edward was commander of the New Britain Power Squadron and a licensed FAA private pilot. In the late 1960's he was an adjunct faculty member for the RPI Hartford. His professional memberships included the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (Life Member), the Mathematical Association of America (50-year member), the Society of the Sigma Xi (50-year Emeritus Member) Tau Beta Pi, and Eta Kappa Mu. He was a life member of the United States Power Squadrons with the grade of Senior Navigator, having served as commander of the New Britain Power Squadron (1981-1983) as well as Squadron Educational Officer and District 1 Educational Officer in later years. He was a past President of the MIT Club of Hartford. He did consulting work for Chandler Evans and the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying in Clemson, SC. Besides his wife Esia, he is survived by two sons; Dr. Barry David Friedman and Rabbi Cary Alan Friedman and his wife Marsha and their children, Rabbi Elisha (and Yamit Remz), Adina, Ayelet (and Jeremy Koolyk), Akiva, Elisheva and Yehudit, and Edward's special sons; Ari Hoydilla and Harvey Fruchter. Edward was blessed with life-long friends, including Frederick Cirule, Claude Brenner (MIT), Richard Brown (University of Hartford), and Richard and Diane Rutkowski (Power Squadron). He departs this life with satisfaction for his longevity, love and gratitude for his wife, sons, and grandchildren, and deep affection for his greater family, best friends and other special friends who helped brighten his stay on earth. He also leaves his thankfulness for the privilege of having been born in America and for being able to spend his life in this wonderful country. In his words, "I have outlived the expectancy of my childhood. Whatever life I have left is frosting on the cake. I am satisfied that I have had a good life." The family extends a heartfelt appreciation to his caregivers, Anona, Alba, Linda, Withel, and Daphne. A funeral will be graveside with full military honors, TODAY, Friday June 20, at Noon at the B'nai Abraham Cemetery, 122 Corrigan Avenue, Meriden, CT, with Rabbi Cary Friedman officiating. Following interment the family will receive friends at the family home in West Hartford. Shiva services will be announced at the cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to the Agudas Achim Synagogue, 1244 North Main St., West Hartford, CT 06117. May his memory be a source of strength and a blessing. Funeral arrangements provided by Hebrew Funeral Association, West Hartford.