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Owen Freed, beloved husband, father and grandfather, passed away of natural causes during a trip for the AJC to Bogota, Colombia on Monday, December 4th. He was a highly respected and dedicated member of the legal community, and a lifelong supporter of multiple local and international nonprofit organizations, but the undisputed center of Owen's universe was his devotion to his family. Numerous large family reunions, holidays and trips together were the highlight of Owen's life. Owen is survived by his wife of 44 years, Sheila Reiter Freed; daughter, Lesli Helman Schwartz, sons, Ryan (Hollie) Helman and Paul Freed; grandchildren, Erin and Noah Schwartz, Isabella and Taylor Helman and Mia Massa; brother-in-law, James (Amy) Reiter, sister-in-law, Iris Reiter (Frederick) Green; and nieces and nephews, Scott (Niamh) and Adam (Amanda) Reiter, Melissa Green (Dan) Glassman and Arielle and Victoria Green, Pam Dean and Michael Freed. In addition, he enjoyed the respect and friendship of a large circle of intimate friends and colleagues. Owen was born October 15, 1933 in Bayonne, NJ, to Paula and Edward Freed. He is predeceased by his brother, Morley (Buddy) Freed. The family moved to Miami when he was 11, and he graduated from Miami High before going on to the University of Miami for both his undergraduate and law degrees. He was awarded an International Rotary Ambassador Scholarship to study a year in both Uruguay and Honduras, where he perfected his Spanish and Portuguese. Owen was a Senior Partner in Stearns Weaver's international law practice, which he left after 50 years in 2012 to set up a solo practice. He was admitted to the Florida Bar in 1960, and as one of the first bilingual attorneys in Miami, he represented many of the original Cuban exiles in their attempts to get established in the U.S. Freed has served as Honorary Consul to Honduras since 1968, and has been the past president of the Miami and Coral Gables Rotary Clubs and the past district governor of Rotary International. He established the Rotary international youth exchange program for the district and ran it for 17 years. In addition Owen was the chairman of the board for the Lighthouse for the Blind and served on the board of the Miami-Dade /Broward chapter of the American Jewish Committee. A true gentleman with a reputation for kindness, honor and integrity, Owen touched hundreds of young lives around the globe over the years that he and Sheila had exchange students live with them. It is a tribute to him that so many of these students, now with families of their own, have visited or hosted Owen and Sheila during frequent trips abroad. Services will be held at Temple Judea, 5500 Granada Avenue, on Sunday, December 10th at 1:00 pm, with burial following at Mt. Nebo Kendall, 5900 SW 77th Avenue. The family has requested that any donations in memory of Owen be made to Temple Judea, Miami Lighthouse or Rotary Club.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Sponsored by Avi Kipper.
Just learning about Owen's passing. My oldest friend, starting in early 1956 and always in touch since then.
I will surely miss him.
Adolfo Salgueiro
July 15, 2018
Susan and I offer our sincere condolences to the entire family. . Owen was an excellent counselor to so many. It was a privilege to know him. He will be fondly remembered.
Andy Weinstein
December 13, 2017
I was privileged to be a member of the Miami Rotary Club for many years and had lunch with Owen every Thursday. He was always gracious, generous with his knowledge and friendly to a new Rotarian. He was an important part of Miami history and he will be missed
Linda Lubitz Boone
December 11, 2017
Sheila, Our sincerest condolences, may his memory be a blessing. We remember Owen as a kind and caring man who was a great mentor to many.
Jay and Riva Steinman
Jay and Riva Steinman
December 10, 2017
One of the very first friends our family had upon moving to Coral Gables, Owen became a huge influence in my life. Whether at Temple Judea, Rotary, or his home, Owen was always an example of how to be a fine human being.
Avi Kipper
December 10, 2017
Dear Sheila,
My heart goes out to you and yours at this most difficult time. Love, Howard
Howard Cantor
December 10, 2017
My deepest sympathy, Sheila. Owen was a very special man, a one-of-a-kind.
Louise Valdes-Fauli
Louise Valdes-Fauli
December 10, 2017
During many years we at Caffe Abbracci had the priviledge of serving him, his wife, and his in law relatives in our restaurant. Always a true gentelman. We will be missing him deeply. Our condolences to the Freed and Reiter Family. Rest in peace Owen. From the family of Caffe Abbracci.
Nino Pernetti.
December 10, 2017
Our heartfelt condolences to Sheila, and family.
~ Gary Feder and Nancy Tobin
~ Coral Gables, FL
December 10, 2017
Owen, you did not listen to me when I said stay well because I did not want to be promoted to the position of senior first cousin in our mothers family. Join Buddy and play Chopsticks. And remember your secret childhood nickname will remain secret forever because I'm the only one who knows it. Rest in peace cousin until we meet again!
Bob Kirschner
December 9, 2017
Always gracious, always a gentleman, and always full of interesting thoughts and news. I had the pleasure of serving with Owen on a variety of Boards and projects, and he was an effective leader in every case. He certainly left Miami a better place for his having been here. My sympathies to all the family.
Taffy Gould
December 9, 2017
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