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Norman Freeman Obituary
He was born in Webster, MA. Son of the late Edwin and Helen (Wilson) Freeman. He owned and operated Davisville Auto Supply in North Kingstown, retiring in 1980. He also owned Brandy Acres Water Supply. Resident of Chepachet. He was Santa at the Lincoln Mall and also ran Santa's Workshop at his home for children for many years. A member of the Mason's Friendship Lodge and RSVP, EMT for the Chepachet Fire Dept. He sang with Encore For Your Pleasure Chorus and delivered Meals on Wheels.
Survivors include sons Charles Freeman, Keith and Michael Audette, daughters Lois Dickstein, Carolyn Ordway, 8 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren.
Funeral Services will be held, Saturday Aug. 12, 2006 at 2pm in Calvary Episcopal Church, Pascoag. Calling hours are at the church, Friday from 5-8pm and Saturday 12-2pm. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hospice, VNS of Greater RI, 6 Blackstone Place, Lincoln, RI 02865. Arrangements are under the directions of the BROWN FUNERAL HOME in Oakland. Brownfuneralhomes.com
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Norman Freeman
Julie Hopkins
August 8, 2006
Mimi,
Dorothy Pinchin and I are two Canadians that stayed at your Guest House a few years ago (we are friends of Ed and Donna McLennan). We loved meeting you and Santa and still treasure the pictures that we have. 'Miracle on 34th Street' was always one of my favourite films and Stuart helped bring the magical spirit of that film to real life. We are truly sorry to hear of your loss - I hope that you will find comfort with time. With love and hugs, we will plan to stop by and say hullo next time we are in the area.
Vicki Donahue
August 8, 2006
Mimi and family,
I'm so sorry to hear of Stu's passing, but I know it was a tough road for you. Although I didn't know him that well, I feel blessed to have met the real Santa. When you were in the hospital and brought all those pics in of you and Santa, I couldn't believe how real they were. Even though I didn't meet Santa when I was young, I didn't feel like I missed out because Santa came to see me. You two together made a great team. Two wonderful, loving beings sharing your passion with others. You and your family will be in my thoughts always.
Joanne Shuman
August 7, 2006
Mimi and family,
If ever there truly was a Santa-it was Stu. It was a pleasure to be a small part of his life and yours. He'll always be my Yankee Doodle Dandy too (he sang it to me this past July 4th).
Marilyn O'Connell
August 7, 2006
I still remember bringing my son to see Santa at the Lincoln Mall. He was so nice, he made me believe all over again. From that year on, we only went there to see Santa, even after we moved to Walpole, Mass. I have a picture of my son with him. He was a special person.
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Paul Family
August 7, 2006
Stuart will be sadly missed by many. My family and I never missed a trip to "The North Pole" to visit Santa at his "Workshop". Oh, how he will be missed. I have a great big 20x30 photo of my son and Santa taken professionally at my home by Bob. I asked Stuart to come to my house b ack in 1990 and had a professional photographer come to take pictures of Santa and my son, not only for our home but it was also our christmas card for that year. Hence, Images.
There was not a kinder more gentle man on this earth. He made countless children and parents alike so very happy. He will be missed sorely.
If every a time you would like to see the pics I have you are more than welcome to contact me and I would be happy to bring them to you.
My deepest sympathies to you, Mimi, and your family. May you find comfort in all the wonderful memories you have, they will be with you forever. God Bless you all.
David Joubert
August 6, 2006
Our sincere condolances to the Freeman family for the loss of a truly wonderful man, who gave more than anyone knows. As a neighbor growing up I first met him as a paperboy and saw the wonderful things he did. I have worked with him as a medic with Chepatchet Fire Dept and Freemason as he devoted his time to others. I could not wait until Chirstmas time each year to go the mall on my lunch break to say Hi.
Best wished from the family Mr.& Mrs. David Joubert
Robert Kobs
August 5, 2006
My sincere condolences, a great loss for sure
August 5, 2006
RALPH & RUTH COLE
August 5, 2006
Chepachet's own "Santa" I have great memories of bringing my grandchildren to his workshop. Stu was loved by one and all, he would never pass up an chance to make the kids smile.He would sit in the back of the hay wagon's on those very cold nights in December. Our deepest sympathy to the Freeman Family.
Charlie & Cindy Thomas
August 4, 2006
Our Sincere condolances to the Freeman family for the loss of their Beloved Norman. May God comfort you and keep you at this sad time, but may he also help you celebrate Normans life and the joy he brought to all those he touched.
The Webb Family
August 4, 2006
Our deepest sympathies go out to the Freeman family at this difficult time. Stuart's passing is a tremendous loss to the entire community. What a blessing Stuart Freeman was to us and to anyone who took an eager child to visit him at Christmastime. Stuart was everything we wanted Santa to be. His twinkling eyes, rosy cheeks, and snowy beard were the real deal, and he always had a perfect smile for the camera. No matter how long the line, he never rushed a child along. He took the time to make each boy and girl feel special. He was welcoming, patient and kind. And he was a terrific listener, of course! There is no question that our son believed in Santa Claus as long as he did because Stuart Freeman sincerely loved to make children of all ages happy. For that, we are truly grateful.
Santa George Martin
August 4, 2006
Mimi, Please accept my deepest sympathies for your great loss. Stuart was one of the big reasons I became Santa myself. I was a young boy when I first sat with him and it stuck in my head for many years. I then had the opportunity to become Santa for friends and family at a young age and Stuart was my role model in these early undertakings. He was larger than life and a wonderful man. I had a chance to speak with him years later when I was approached at Lincoln Mall to fill in for Santa who had been on all day and needed a break. I was thrilled. Stuart gave me some pointers and out I went. It was a pleasure helping Santa out. I also met him again last Season at Images and told him in person that he was one of the main reasons I became Santa. It was a special treat seeing him again. Blessings to you and yours Mimi. He will be missed.
Ben Lonrusten
August 4, 2006
Dear Mimi!
Please axept our deepest sympaties for the loss of your husband.
We will think of you.
Ben Lonrusten
Santa Claus assisiation Norway
Julenissen Norge AS
Bob Carter
August 3, 2006
I am sorry for your loss. It is good to know that such a wonderful person existed. He will be alive in the hearts of all whose lives he touched for as long as they live. So, in a way, he is still with us.
Santa Bob Carter in West Virginia
Emma (Vecoli) Miniati
August 3, 2006
Dear Mimi,
I want express my deepest sympathy to you and your family. I will be in touch with you in the near future. I also want to express deepest sympathies from the Class of 1954. You will be in our prayers.
Santa Tom Kliner
August 3, 2006
It is always sad when a brother Santa passes on. May you and your family always recall the fondest memories and take heart in the kindness of a great life.
Santa Tom
Santas Across the Globe
J T
August 2, 2006
My sincere sympathy to the family.
I recognized "Santa" immediately. I brought both my son and daughter to Lincoln Mall for many years because I knew it would be "Santa" sitting in that chair. For every visit, a picture was taken. He truly enjoyed what he did and it showed. He was always so pleasant and kind. He radiated a warmth and glow which reflected his love for the Christmas Season. I personally went to Lincoln Mall because I wanted my children to see him. He made it easy to believe because he was so "real". He truly looked and bestowed the same feeling as portrayed by St. Nicholas in Miracle on 42nd Street. He will always be remembered in my home with fondness and gratitude. My son is now 27 and my daughter 18. It was always a pleasure taking them to see him. I am sure he will be missed by all that knew him. He leaves quite a legacy and a great many memories for all of us that knew "Santa". His loss will be felt by many. His memory will be kept alive by our memories of him, and at what better time of year than that at Christmas. I am sure his family is proud.
lynn Van Loon -Martin
August 2, 2006
Dear Keith and Mimi,
I am sorry for your loss. I have fond memories of your family at ECC and later when I lived in Chepachet. Take comfort in your memories.
Gloria Miller
August 2, 2006
In My Pocket
I have memories in my pocket.
They rattle among the change.
My memories of you are treasures I carry wherever I go.
They are stored in bits and pieces, parts of a beautiful whole
They give me comfort when I think I am alone.
Yes, I have memories in my pocket, like so much other stuff I keep there.
But of all the treasures I have, it’s the memories of you that are the most precious.
The Papineau Family
August 2, 2006
My deepest sympathy goes out to the family of this truely wonderful man. We have and always will treasure the many pictures we have of "Santa". He is in our eyes the real Santa. He was always so patient and so believable he was the reason my children believed for so long. They only wanted to visit with the "real" Santa at the Lincoln Mall, all the others were just his helpers. He will live on in our memories forever.
Odete McMahon
August 2, 2006
I cannot express what a loss Mr. Freeman will be to this community and all the lives he touched. He was a loving and caring "Meals On Wheels" volunteer bringing not only a hot meal but a bright smile to those who were homebound. My father was one of the lucky ones to have experienced this each day for many years. Mr. Freeman will always be known as "Santa" to many children and their families who were lucky enough to have spent time at his "Santa's Workshop" each year. I will treasure the picture of my father at the age of 75 sitting on Santa's knee along with his great-granddaughter age 4.
My deepest sympathy to the Freeman family for their loss. May they take comfort in knowing that their loved one brought so much happiness and kindness into so many lives. He will be truly missed for many years to come.
Sophia St.Germain
August 2, 2006
To the Family and Friends of Mr. Freeman,
We would like to extend our deepest sympathies and prayers. I knew Santa for many years, and was so excited to bring my daughter to see him every year at Christmas. We visited Santa from the time she was three weeks old. She is now almost nine. From the bottoms of our hearts we thank Santa and his family for sharing his gift of giving and for the spirit of Christmas.
We will cherrish those memories with my daughter forever.
God Bless,
The St.Germain Family
Christmas friends
August 2, 2006
Our deepest sympathy to your family on your loss. I recognized his face instantly, as it's been displayed in my home for years now. Mr. Freeman was my sons first "Santa" at 11 mos. old and he was very patient and understanding with a very squirmy baby. He was probably used to that though.
That 1st Santa photo will always be special to us, as I'm sure many other families. Be comforted by the fact that he brought, and will continue to bring so many smiles and fond memories.
The Rundlett Family
August 2, 2006
Mr. Freeman has been my family's "Santa" for 20 years of Christmas's. He was the reason that my children believed for so long - who could ever deny that he was real! My heartfelt sympathy to his wife, children, and grandchildren. Please know that Mr. Freeman will live on in the hearts and memories of children for many, many years.
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