Joel Edward Freedman

It is with great sadness that we announce the death of Joel Edward Freedman of Stamford, CT on September 24, 2024. He died from complications of Parkinson’s disease, surrounded by his loving family. Joel was a much loved, special person and will be sorely missed by his family, friends and the many who knew him.

Joel was born on June 16, 1933 in New Haven, the son of Milton and Dorothy Freedman. The family moved to Stamford when Joel was 3, where he attended Hart, Burdick, where he was Burdick Boy of the Year, and Stamford High, Class of 1951. Growing up in Stamford he made friends who became his close friends for life. He graduated from Yale University and Harvard Law School. At Harvard he met Naomi, the love of his life who was a graduate student in mathematics. Joel and Naomi married in 1959 and had a wonderful marriage of 65 years.

Joel and Naomi moved to Stamford where Joel started a short career practicing law, first in private practice, then at the New Haven Redevelopment Authority and finally as counsel for the Stamford Urban Renewal Commission during the height of urban renewal. He resigned from his position in 1968 in protest over the URC’s award of exclusive redevelopment rights for all of downtown Stamford to one developer.

Joel made his first real estate investment in 1962 and continued investing during the 1960’s. After resigning from the URC, he made real estate his full-time career and incorporated Garden Homes Management in 1970, which today provides affordable housing throughout the Northeast. In 1980 Joel founded the Garden Homes Fund, the company’s charitable foundation. He was actively involved in Stamford civic life, serving as corporation counsel to Mayor Fred Lenz from 1973 – 75 and later on the Board of Finance.

Joel and Naomi shared a passion for the great outdoors and were avid whitewater canoers and hikers. They were a rare husband-and-wife paddling team, canoeing at times in snow and following water releases across the Northeast during the summer. Joel enjoyed jazz and classical music, playing his saxophone with friends and recordings, and attending ballet and opera with Naomi. Many knew him as the guy who picked up roadside garbage throughout North Stamford. He was keenly interested in politics, world affairs and business, discussing them with penetrating insight. He had a great sense of humor and a warm, self-effacing manner. He was selfless, generous, deeply respected and touched the lives of many people.

Joel is survived by his beloved wife Naomi, children Debbie (Ben), Jane (Mark) and Richard (Nancy), grandchildren Emma (Mark) and Lucie Ledbetter; Hannah, David and Rebecca Iafrati; Emily, Jessica and Benjamin Freedman; step-grandchildren Joe and Charlie Ledbetter and their families; great-grandchildren Sam and Owen Iscoe, and seven nieces and nephews. He is also survived by his cherished cousin Ken White and dear friends Billy Heller and Pete Plotnick. He was predeceased by his parents, sister Mary Ann Hoberman, brothers-in-law Norman Hoberman and Robert Karlan, and niece Diane Karlan.

Funeral services will be held on September 25, 2024 at 2:00 PM at Temple Beth El, 350 Roxbury Road in Stamford. Donations can be made in Joel’s name to Planned Parenthood of Southern New England: https://www.plannedparenthood.org/planned-parenthood-southern-new-england