John H. Freeman, age 90, a lifelong resident of Methuen, MA, died peacefully at his home Wednesday, April 17.
Mr. Freeman founded and was the proud owner of Freeman Fuel Co. in Methuen, MA, a business he started with his wife Leslie sixty years ago. Many of his customers have been with him since the inception of the company and now their children are also customers. It was no chore for John to get up in the morning and go to work. He loved his customers and interacting with the oil industry.
He loved traveling and he and his wife Leslie visited wonderful places such as Europe, Tokyo, India the Caribbean and many more. He loved his beach house where his family gathered for his famous “little cookouts.” Sunday was family day for John, with church attendance and Sunday dinners where family would gather. A major element of his daily routine was with his devoted companion Skipper who was constantly by his side . Skipper filled a void in his life after the passing of his wife Leslie seven years ago.
He was a US Army Air force veteran of World War II. He was a member of the John Hancock Masonic Lodge AF&AM in Methuen, President of the Board of Trustees of Walnut Grove Cemetery in Methuen, former director at the Methuen Co-operative Bank, and a member of New England Fuel Institute. He was a past president of the Methuen Board of Trade and was honored by them as “Man of The Year”. He was a former board member of St. Andrews By The Sea as well as a lifetime honorary trustee of the Methuen Memorial Organ Hall.
He was predeceased by his wife Leslie A. (Cooke) Freeman. He is survived by his son, John “Jay” and his wife Amy Freeman of Salem, NH; daughters, Susan and her husband William Foster of Danville, NH, Pamela and her husband James Munro of Methuen, MA; grandchildren, Alison Walsh and Andrew Munro, Ashley Foster, Jonathon, Brandon and Peter Freeman, and step grandchildren Jeffrey and Jason Boucher.
Calling hours will be held Tuesday, April 23rd from 4-8 PM at the Douglas & Johnson Funeral Home, 214 Main St, Salem, NH. Funeral services will be private for the family at Tenney Memorial Chapel and burial will be in Walnut Grove Cemetery, Methuen. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to: Shiners’ Hospital for Children, Attn: Donation Office, 51 Blossom St., Boston, MA 02114 or St. Andrews By The Sea, P.O. Box 555, Rye Beach, NH 03871-0555. To send a message of condolence to the family, please view the obituary at www.douglasandjohnson.com