Joseph Abrams Friedman

Joseph "Joe" Abrams Friedman, age 97, passed away peacefully Monday, July 11, 2022, at his home in Boca Raton, Florida. Joe was born on August 3, 1924, in Boston, Massachusetts, to Dr. Harry and Mae Belle Friedman. After graduating from Newton High School, he served in the Company D 378th Infantry Army of the United States from July 1943 to August 1944. After his honorable discharge, he graduated with a BA from Rollins College and an MA from Vanderbilt University.

Joe began his real estate career in Miami, Florida, where he met his wife, Zilpha ("Zil") Marie Poli, and raised their two daughters, Janet and Judy. He was a dedicated family man and a friend to all who knew him. Joe supported everyone's interests and was a huge proponent of education. Joe is survived by his children, Janet (Mike) of Savannah, GA, and Judy (JB) of Oviedo, Fl; grandchildren, Alexis (Brandon), Ashley, Morgan, and Mallory (Jordan); and two great-grandchildren, Ruby and Aidan. He was preceded in death by his wife, Zilpha.

Joe retired in his 50s and began to travel extensively with Zilpha. When Joe wasn't traveling, he was auditing classes at Florida Atlantic University (FAU). In his later years, Joe took great pleasure in philanthropy and spent much of his time researching and donating to numerous charitable organizations. Joe was a lifelong fan of the comic strip "Peanuts" by Charles Schultz. His ninetieth birthday celebration was Snoopy-themed, earning him the nickname "Joe Cool" after Snoopy's aptly named alter-ego. He was a brilliant man and never found a subject that didn't fascinate him.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to your favorite non-profit or educational institution (some of his were FAU, Rollins, and the Seeing Eye in Morristown, NJ). A Celebration of Life: A Tribute to "Joe Cool" will be held at 11:30 am on Friday, August 26, 2022, at Florida Atlantic University's Dorothy F. Schmidt College of Arts and Letters Forkas Studio One Theater.