Mark W. Freeman

1927 - 2024

Mark W. Freeman

Sept. 26, 1927 - July 28, 2024

BEVERLY, MA - Mark was born and grew up in Branford, Connecticut, on Long Island Sound. He learned to sail in a wooden dinghy and boated around local waters solo by about age 12. Mark lost his brother at 6 and his dad at 16, but spoke fondly of his upbringing and adventures like riding his bike off the dock into the ocean (he was fine; no word on the bike).

He reportedly played football at Proctor Academy, and then went to Tufts, where he met Anne Bonney in an English class when the professor failed to show and some students arranged an impromptu bridge game. He and Anne were rarely apart after that until her death in 2011.

They lived in Germany in the 50's while Mark served in the Air Force (OSS), and they had great memories of living off the base, while, in his telling, he was a not-very-effective spy. He was an inveterate words guy: a grad student at the University of Chicago, a journalist, an English teacher at Glens Falls High School for most of his professional life, a writer, columnist, and reader. Mark and Anne passed on to their three daughters a love of the written word, an appreciation for the environment, a commitment to activism, and a zest for skiing, gardening, games, travel, and family.

Mark had his flaws, but was also a polymath who built a house in Nova Scotia (using plans from Woman's Day magazine), and later, designed and built a passive solar home in E. Greenwich, NY. For many years and until very recently, the Curmudgeon wrote a weekly column on words, politics, and whatever else caught his fancy. Mark also authored books on greenhouse gardening, building a solar home, and canoeing in the Adirondacks. Mark loved good food, martinis, a well-played bridge game, a beautiful day sailing, home-grown produce, his kids and grandkids (and newly arrived great-grandson!).

He is survived by his three daughters and their families: Patricia and Raymond Freeman-Lynde, Amelia Freeman-Lynde and Kevin O'Riley, Molli Freeman-Lynde, Michael Philbrick, and Declan and Charlie Philbrick; Polly Freeman and Jim Becker and Nate and Lidet Becker; Bonney and Hank Hughes, Chris and Nick Hughes, and Chris's partner, Elizabeth Beier. Mark was also loved by and loved his honorary and devoted granddaughter, Tamara Lazcurain.

In memory of Mark, read a good book, grow a beautiful tomato, give some time to a cause you believe in, or paddle down a river. Feel free to donate to your favorite environmental cause in his name or contribute by check to the "Freeman Memorial Scholarship" c/o Janice Casey, District Treasurer, Glens Falls City School District, 15 Quade St., Glens Falls, NY 12801.