David Friedman

1933 - 2020

Friedman, David
David Aaron Friedman, of Lawrenceville, NJ and Boynton Beach, FL, passed away on June 6, 2020 after a long battle with heart disease.
David was born in Trenton, NJ on May 19, 1933, to Max and Janet Friedman. Max was an obstetrician at Helene Fuld Hospital in Trenton having moved from Brooklyn shortly after receiving his medical degree and marrying Janet, who had been a hat model in New York.
After graduating from Trenton Central High School in 1951 where he excelled on the swim team, David attended Duke University undergraduate and Law School, graduating in 1957. It was at Duke that David discovered the true love of his life, Marilyn Nelson, who survives him. They married on June 30, 1956. Marilyn always said David's favorite things were golf, Chinese food, and her, in that order, but everybody knew Marilyn was number 1; although, golf was surely a close second.
After graduating law school, the newlyweds moved back to Trenton, where they began an impressive and exciting life together. David began practicing law working with State Senator Sido Ridolfi, forming the law firm Ridolfi and Friedman in the early 1960's. His law career encompassed an extensive array of land use and development work, and he was involved in development and redevelopment projects throughout New Jersey and especially in Mercer County. He represented many local builders and some national developers building apartments, office parks, single family houses, and many other land use real estate projects.
One of his proudest career achievements was stewarding the approvals and advancing the development of Eggerts Crossing Village in Lawrenceville, which provides low income housing in an historically African American section of Lawrence Township. Years later, Fred Vereen Jr., past president of Lawrence Non-Profit Housing, Inc., recognized David as an integral component to the completion of the project.
Amongst David's additional professional accomplishments were developing low income, senior citizen and family apartment projects, extensive involvement in several community banks, and being a leading force in bringing cable television to Hamilton Township.
David's favorite place to be was on the golf course. David played golf his entire life, from joining the golf team at Duke to winning the club championship at Greenacres Country Club (now known as Cobblestone Creek) in five different decades. His involvement with Greenacres extended to serving on the Board and as President. His life-long dedication and commitment ensured the ongoing viability of the Club, including spearheading the recent land sale to construct housing, renovating the golf course and clubhouse, and creating a fresh environment for members and guests.
He was an original member of the Falls Country Club in Lake Worth, Florida, and he and Marilyn spent each winter in Boynton Beach for over forty years. He had the first hole in one recorded at both the Falls and Metedeconk National in Jackson, NJ where David was also an original member. One of his crowning golfing achievements was playing at over 1,000 golf courses around the world, including some of the all-time greats in Scotland and Ireland, and even Augusta National while a member of the Duke University golf team. His list of golf friends and acquaintances is endless; David always said he never met anyone he didn't like on the golf course. He was also one of the original creators and board members for the First Tee of Greater Trenton which provides golf opportunities and life skills to young people.
One of David's greatest and longest lasting traits was bringing people together. He was a connector always looking to create mutually beneficial personal and business relationships. Countless people looked to David as a resource of knowledge and leadership. His business and personal network was extensive, and he was always looking to combine the expertise of numerous people when starting a new project. He had an uncanny ability to build a team while providing guidance.
He loved to travel, especially to the south of France, developing lifelong relationships with many couples. Enjoying delicious food and wine with Marilyn as his favorite companion made him especially happy.
Most of all, he loved spending time with his family. Although spread throughout the country, he had very close relationships with his children and grandchildren, always providing guidance and insight when needed (and sometimes when not).
David is predeceased by his parents, Max and Janet Friedman, his son, Eric Friedman, and brother Richard Friedman. In addition to his wife of 63 years, Marilyn, he is survived by his brother Robert Friedman and sister in law Adele of Los Angeles, California, son Jeffrey Friedman and daughter-in-law Kathy Lee of Berkeley, California; son Steven Friedman and daughter-in-law Heath of Lawrenceville, NJ; daughter-in-law Amy Gutmann of Seattle, Washington; and 7 loving grandchildren: Kelly (and husband Dan Buyanovsky), Margot, Ally, Ben, Lily, Julia, and Louisa Friedman.
He will be dearly missed by many, but he leaves a lasting impression on all who knew him.
Services will be private. The family will hold a memorial service when public gatherings are possible.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to either The First Tee of Greater Trenton (https://www.firstteegreatertrenton.org/ways-to-give/) or The American Heart Association (https://www.heart.org).
To leave condolences for the family visit www.orlandsmemorialchapel.com