Obituary of Harry Freeman

Harry Cleveland Freeman 82, passed away peacefully at home on April 27, 2007 following a battle with leukemia. Born in Greenfield he was the elder son of the late Harry and Leda (Wile) Freeman. He received his early education from the one-room school in Greenfield. He then answered the call of his country and at the age of seventeen joined the RCAF (serving from 1942 to 1945). With unusual aptitude for all things mechanical he won his class gold medal as aero engine mechanic and was promoted to crew chief at only nineteen years of age. When discharged from the RCAF he enrolled at Acadia University where he achieved his BSc. and MSc. degrees. He worked 35 years as a Government of Canada Research Scientist in Halifax and was bestowed the honour of Scientist Emeritus. He authored, co-authored and refereed countless papers in leading scientific journals and pioneered many laboratory techniques still used today, including sublethal testing on fish while others focused only on the lethal effects of pollutants. His research concerning the impact of acid rain on Atlantic salmon is internationally recognized. In 1985 he was awarded the Government of Canada Award for Long and Efficient Service. He lived and breathed the Forest Industry all his life with his family and his partner Harry Freeman Sr. They incorporated in 1975 as Harry Freeman & Son Ltd. Actively involved in industry associations, he was a director of the Forest Products Association of Nova Scotia, Maritime Lumber Bureau and Independent Sawmill Association. He was a member of the Wildlife Advisory Council for the Minister of Natural Resources. He held offices in numerous volunteer organizations - many of these reflected his life-long interest in sport, environment and the outdoors. He chaired the Building Committee and led the effort which built the Greenfield Recreation Centre and the Greenfield United Baptist Church. He was driven to provide recreation and other facilities for the young and old of the Greenfield area. He was an active member of the Greenfield Recreation Association, Greenfield United Baptist Church, Greenfield & District Fire Department, Royal Canadian Legion and Jolly Ponoquers Senior’s Club. He leaves to mourn his wife of 60 years Elfreda (Slauenwhite); sons Charlie (Linda) Freeman and Richard (Annette) Freeman all of Greenfield; daughters Charalyn (Jerry) Kriz, Whistler, B.C., Heather (Sam) Arthur, Surrey B.C. and Marianne (George) Morrison, Fall River; twelve grandchildren; two great granddaughters; four chosen grandsons; sister Alean Freeman and brother Walter Freeman. He was pre-deceased by sister Roxie Freeman, brother Richard Freeman in infancy and infant grandson Craig Freeman. No visitation at the funeral home by request. A celebration of his life will be held 2 p.m. Thursday May 3 in the Greenfield United Baptist Church, Pastor Dennis Nickerson officiating. A reception will follow. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be given to the First Settler’s Place Society or the Greenfield Recreation Association. Funeral arrangement entrusted to Sweeny’s Funeral Home, Bridgewater, where on-line condolences may be made by visiting www.sweenysfuneralhome.com