Douglas E. Friedman

Wouldn't it be nice if Douglas E. Friedman of West Long Branch were still with us? Sadly dear Douglas, son of the late Rita and William Friedman, passed away on June 27, 2023. Douglas was born and lived his whole life at the Jersey Shore, a member of the Village of Loch Arbour Beach, where he could be found with his beach crew all summer long. And when he wasn't with the girls on the beach, he was with the boys at the gym doing crossword puzzles.

An attorney educated at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill and Villanova Law School, Douglas spent his career bringing his intelligence, integrity, and good vibrations to the Amerada Hess Corporation. In his free time, he traveled the world with his wife Linda Lashbrook, taking thousands of beautiful photographs. He also enjoyed painting many of the locations they visited. His photographs and paintings were part of local art shows on many occasions.

In his retirement, Douglas's boundless curiosity led him to research and write numerous books about his favorite subject-music-and music history, especially "The Comedian Harmonists: The Last Jewish Performers in Nazi Germany" and "Four Boys and a Guitar: The Story and Music of the Mills Brothers."

A lifelong supporter of the arts in his community, Douglas served on the boards of many organizations but it was Chhange, the Center for Holocaust, Human Rights and Genocide Education at Brookdale College that eventually became his focus. Chhange recently honored him with their 2023 Distinguished Service Award.

God only knows what we'll do without Douglas's jokes, his unconditional love, and his great kindness. He is survived by wife Linda, brother Kenneth, daughter Wendy, nieces Lynn, Wendy and Maitreya, grandchildren Oakley and Lea, grandnieces Julia, Violet, and Reverie and grandnephew Jackson. Services will be held at Bloomfield-Cooper Jewish Chapels, 2130 NJ-35, Ocean Township on Friday, June 30 at 11am. And don't worry, baby, in lieu of flowers, donations in his name can be sent to the Center for Holocaust, Human Rights and Genocide Education.

Auf wiedersehen, my dear!