Donald J. Freeman

Don was born on January 29, 1945, Hartford, CT. He grew up in Old Saybrook, CT, with his parents Alphonse and Aldea Petitjean, sister Emerise and brother Bob (Dee) Zielinski. Living along the Long Island Sound instilled a love of the water, fishing and boating. Don earned many sports accolades through his high school years playing soccer, basketball, and baseball. Don cherished his small-town upbringing and enjoyed visiting and sharing memories of his New England heritage.

Don graduated from the United States Coast Guard Academy with a Bachelor of Science degree in 1967. As captain of his USCGA soccer team, he led his teammates to an NCAA division III championship. During his service as an Officer in the Coast Guard, he commanded the 95-foot patrol boat "Cape Shoalwater" out of Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Proud to be a “Coastie”, Don cherished his dear life-long friends from the Academy, his country, and the American flag.

Don graduated from the University of Miami Law School in 1974 and was an avid Hurricanes fan. Don moved to West Palm Beach, Florida, and established a practice of law with the firm of Beverly & Freeman in 1975, and has practiced law continuously in West Palm Beach, Florida, since 1975. Throughout his period of admission to the Florida Bar as a Board-Certified Civil Trial Attorney, Don focused his practice to the areas of commercial litigation, business law, real property law and admiralty law. Many of Don’s clients have become lifelong friends.

Don loved spending time on the water, especially in Islamorada in the Florida Keys. He introduced this special place to dozens of friends and family. He was always ready to teach folks how to bait a hook, find a special spot to dive for lobster, read a chart or set an anchor. Several restaurants there were his favorites and he loved getting the red “local” stamp on his bill from Mangrove Mike’s. If you’re ever at the Green Turtle Inn at MM 81.2, be sure to look for his photo with a “prize-winning” sailfish hanging on the wall. Don always took any opportunity to fish the local waters of Palm Beach County and was a member of the West Palm Beach Fishing Club for 43 years.

Nothing was better than sharing a meal with Don. His breakfast group buddies enjoyed the camaraderie, storytelling, and sharing lots of laughs. It’s been said that Don was willing to barter legal services for a meal – especially breakfast. Holidays, birthdays, and other special occasions were so important to him to bring everyone together to celebrate. When Elvis showed up at his birthday celebration a few years ago, Don posed proudly for photographs with The King. Don always looked forward to lunch with his pals at the Tuscawilla Club in West Palm Beach where he was a member since 2007.

Above all, Don was devoted to his children Allison Freeman, and Alex and Katie Freeman. He was always there with advice, guidance, and patience. He was fiercely proud of each of their accomplishments and supported them in all their endeavors. They will continue his legacy of a love for life, laughter, and the art of storytelling.

Don was dearly loved by his family and many friends. He was friendly and easy talk to about anything. A kind and generous person, Don would always go out of his way to help others. He will be greatly missed.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, August 6, 2022, at 10:30 a.m. at Quattlebaum Funeral, Cremation and Event Center, 5411 Okeechobee Blvd, West Palm Beach, FL 33417. All are welcome to attend.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made online to the Palm Beach County Fishing Foundation (https://westpalmbeachfishingclub.org/donate/)