Samuel Sumner Freedman

Freedman, Judge Samuel Sumner
Judge Samuel Sumner Freedman, age 85 of Westport, CT, passed away on Sunday November 4,2012 at St. Vincent's Medical Center. Judge Freedman was born Bridgeport Connecticut July 5, 1927 the son of Harry and Estelle (Bernstein) Freedman. He is survived by beloved wife of 48 years and best friend Judith, and daughter Martha. Sister in law Elizabeth Stuckal, brother in law Joseph Greenberg, cousins Ellen Hyde Phillips, Susan Davis, Jane Gottlieb, Sam and Peter Bernstein, Paul, Joel and David Freedman, Nephews Jon and Scott Stuckal and Ben Greenberg and animal companion Petie cat. The family wishes to thank all the medical professionals, nurses, aides and other staff at St. Vincent's Medical who were involved with his care. An avid Green Bay Packer's fan, New York Knicks fan and Atlanta Braves fan, he took pleasure in watching UConn Women Basketball, and he was a voracious reader and prolific writer in his spare time. He also had a love for swimming and recreational sailing. He loved spending time with Judi and Martha at home and on vacations. They were always in his first and last thoughts. Judge Freedman was a World War II Navy Veteran, attorney, legislator, Judge, law school professor and author. He served his country in the US Navy from 1945-51. He was well respected in every profession he engaged in and he had a love of the law and its process. He enjoyed his work with his associate Judges, Prosecutors and Public Defenders and the rest of the Court personnel. He had great respect for all those with whom he worked. He enjoyed his work with his students at the Quinnipiac Law School, (as well as the other schools where he taught) and took great pride in following their careers after they graduated. Through the Socratic method he was able to share his life experiences in the law, the courts, and the legislature. In 2010, he was awarded an honorary doctorate law degree from the Quinnipiac University Law School. Judge Freedman graduated from George Washington University with a B.A (Foreign Affairs) in 1948 and Yale Law School in 1954. His honors included Phi Beta Kappa in 1950 and Phi Gamma Mu Social Science Honorary in 1950. For 25 years he was a partner with his father in Freedman, Peck and Freedman in Bridgeport and Westport from 1955-78. He was the Special Public Defender for Fairfield County, 1959-60. He served in the Connecticut House of Representatives from the 135th District, (Easton, Weston, Westport) from 1973-74. While in the legislature he chaired the Judiciary subcommittee on Criminal Justice and was responsible for creating what is today's public defender system. He was awarded the Press Award for Outstanding Freshman Legislator in 1973. He served at the Legislative Commissioner for the Connecticut General Assembly from 1975-1978. In 1978, Governor Ella Grasso appointed him as a Superior Court Judge where he served until 1997 when he became a Judge Trial Referee. He continued to serve as a Judge Trial Referee until his death. Among his many publications was notably ERA: May A State Change Its Vote? with P. Naughton in 1978. He was admitted to the Connecticut Bar, United States Supreme Court, and the United States District Court for Connecticut. He was an Honorary Life Member of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers. He was a member of the Westport Center for the Environment, the Westport Historical Society. He was a past Member of the Connecticut Association of Children with Learning Disabilities, University Club of Hartford, Algonquin Club of Bridgeport, the Yale Clubs of New York and Eastern Fairfield County, Torch Club International, and a Director and officer of the Nationalities Service Center (International Institute).
Funeral Services will take place on Wednesday, November 7, 2012, at 11am directly at B'nai Israel Cemetery on Kings Highway (corner of Villa Ave.) in Fairfield. Shiva will be observed at the Freedman residence in Westport on Wednesday following the services, Thursday from 5 to 8pm, and on Sunday from 3 to 6pm. Memorial contributions may be made to Oak Hill in Hartford (cbioakhill.org), Quinnipiac Law School Scholarships, or to a charity of one's choice. A memorial service will take place on a date to be announced at Quinnipiac University Law School. (www.greensfuneralhome.com)