Richard B Freeman

Richard B. Freeman, a longtime resident of Malden, passed away on Friday, December 26th, at the age of 85.

Richard was born in 1940, the son of Charles and Hazel (Howell) Freeman. He was raised and educated in Malden, Massachusetts, graduating from Malden High School with the Class of 1959. He proudly served in the Army National Guard for eight years. In 1963, Richard married his sweetheart, the Rev. Ann Doreen Parker Freeman, and together they settled in Malden to raise their four children. They shared 57 years of marriage until Doreen’s passing in 2020.

A devoted husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, uncle, cousin, and friend to so many. Richard started his professional life in sales, then spent 25 years as a Bank Executive. In his late 50’s Richard returned to his calling in sales and sold appliances for the next 15 years – a career he absolutely loved. He and Doreen established their camp in Ocean Park, Maine in the 1970’s and continued to enjoy the Ocean Park community for the rest of his life.

Richard’s life was full of music. He and Doreen met as teenagers singing together with the Malden High School Choral Art Society. Richard joined the First Baptist Church of Malden as a young man to sing in their choir, acting as a soloist. He served as Choir Director for many years and directed the Malden Council of Churches Carol Festival for 55 years. His beautiful Baritone voice could be heard near and far, as a soloist in countless performances with choirs all over the city and in the Ocean Park Association Temple Choir. In his 80’s he moved to Brooksby Village in Peabody and joined the Brooksby Irregulars, where he played the drums and sang and led many fun-filled musical nights.

His life at the First Baptist Church of Malden brought him so much joy. He served on many boards and committees and was employed as their bookkeeper for over 25 years. He was an active member and past Treasurer of the Boston Baptist Social Union, served on committees supporting the Grotonwood/Oceanwood camping and conference ministries, and was a dedicated delegate for the First Baptist Church and the Judson Association with TABCOM and ABCUSA.

He is survived by his loving children, Ann O'Connor and her husband Frank of Windham, NH; Todd R. Freeman of Taunton; Beth Blatchford and her husband Jim of Melrose; and Gail Straker and her husband Sheldon of Fall River. Richard is the cherished grandfather of Allison and Matthew O’Connor; Jill Leary; Todd N. Freeman and his wife Kourtney; Emily, Elizabeth, and Lillian Blatchford; and the proud great grandfather of Zachery Cronin and Adeline Freeman. He also leaves a nephew, Charles F. Blood, a niece, Heidi (Blood) Clifford, and many dear cousins.

In addition to his parents and his wife, Richard was predeceased by his sister Barbara (Freeman) Blood; his brother-in-law Charles Blood; and his niece Karen (Blood) Hall.

Visitation will be held at the Weir MacCuish Funeral Home, 144 Salem St., Malden on Sunday, January 4th, from 12:00 - 4:00 PM.

Funeral services will be held in the First Baptist Church of Malden, 493 Main St., Malden on Monday, January 5th, at 10:00 AM, followed by interment in Forest Dale Cemetery, Malden.

Donations in lieu of flowers can be made to the First Baptist Church of Malden, 493 Main St., Malden, MA 02148

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