PAUL LESTER FRIEDMAN

FRIEDMAN, Paul Lester Loving husband, father and grandfather Paul was born October 5, 1946, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and passed away surrounded by loved ones, on December 22, 2025, at the age of 79. Paul grew up in the Oklahoma City area, where he attended the Casady School and graduated in 1964. He went on to earn his Associate of Arts degree at Menlo College in 1966 and subsequently, his Bachelor of Arts degree from Tulane University in 1969. After a short stint in the family restaurant business in Florida, Paul earned a Master of Education degree from Northeastern University in Boston, graduating in 1973. He went on to teach for several years as a fifth-grade teacher in Weston, Massachusetts, where he was known for his creative and dynamic approaches to inspiring a love for learning. With a growing family, Paul eventually left teaching to pursue a career in stock brokerage, retiring as a Senior Vice President at Jesup & Lamont in Boston, in 2004. Over the course of his working life, Paul was known for his witty sense of humor, his articulate leadership, his unparalleled charm, and his warmth and dedication to long standing clients and coworkers. Paul will be remembered for his unique ability to connect with children, his deep love for his family, and his fondness for his dogs. He had a brilliant way with words, and was known for his silly puns and incredibly adept ability to make up rhymes, some of which turned into children's stories, poetry or prose. He had a vast appreciation for culinary delights, and perfected the art of the Caesar salad, no egg in it, along with a mouthwatering traditional version of French Onion soup. He enjoyed travelling with his partner and family, visiting his children and grandchildren in various places around the globe, attending Red Sox, Patriots, and Celtics games, going to concerts, and keeping tabs on the University of Oklahoma football games. Family and friends will remember Paul for his unending pride over the accomplishments of his children and grandchildren, his wittiness, his sharp intellect, his warmth, and his creative spirit. Paul was preceded in death by his father, Mervin Friedman; and his mother, Marilyn Pollock Friedman. He is survived by his partner of thirty years, Bernice Cramer; with whom he has a son, Crane Friedman. He is also survived by his children, Pamela Sorbello, Catherine Seward, and Melissa Friedman from his former marriage to Susan Dye. Paul also leaves behind stepsons, William Takahashi and Andrew Takahashi; grandchildren: Zoe, Jake, Ruby, Benjamin, Stella, Beatrice Opal, and Arlo; his brother, Gary, of Norman, Oklahoma; as well as extended family and friends who will miss him deeply. A Celebration of Life will be held on April 11, 2026, at one o'clock p.m., at the Church of the Messiah Parish Hall, 22 Church Street, Woods Hole, Massachusetts. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests making donations to the Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration (AFTD), https://www.theaftd.org/ Chapman Funerals & Cremations - Falmouth (508) 540-4172

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