Richard James Freeman

Richard James Freeman, 60 — a husband, father, brother, business leader, lawyer, guitarist, alpine skier, water sports enthusiast, and all-around fun-loving man - passed away peacefully at his home in Greenfield, Nova Scotia, on May 10, 2025, with family by his side.

Despite a valiant and courageous battle, Richard ultimately succumbed to glioblastoma. He spent the final year of his life surrounded by family, friends, and his beloved guitars.

Richard’s diligence shone through in every facet of his life. His competitiveness was intimidating yet encapsulating. He was hardworking and determined, yet conscientious and kind. He seemed to know something about every subject, yet he made everyone he spoke to feel uniquely special. Richard never did anything halfway — his drive for excellence was evident in everything he did.

As his favorite Henry Ford quote goes, “Whether you think you can, or you think you can’t — you’re right.”

“Red the Mechanic”

The youngest of five, Richard was born in Halifax to Harry and Elfreda (Slauenwhite) Freeman.

Richard was inquisitive and mechanically inclined from a young age. As a boy, he would travel back to his family's sawmill in Greenfield and “help” the mechanics around the garage with a toy toolbox by his side — he was dubbed “Red the Mechanic” because of his bright red hair.

He attended Dartmouth High School and met his wife, Annette, at a high school dance in 1983.

Richard was an avid hockey player, but after tearing his knee on the ice at age 15, he hung up his skates and picked up a guitar. A lifelong passion grew as he joined his first band in Grade 12 and rocked until his final days.

A Life of Purpose and Service

Richard earned a Bachelor of Arts in History from Dalhousie University in 1986, a Law Degree in 1989 and a Master of Laws, focusing on corporate commercial, from the London School of Economics and Political Science in 1990.

In his early career, Richard practiced law at McInnes Cooper in Halifax before moving to Ferrier Fownes on the South Shore. Afterward, he gradually transitioned into his family business, Harry Freeman & Son Limited, a sawmill run by the Freemans in Greenfield since 1832.

An enduring advocate for Nova Scotia’s forest products sector, Richard was well-known and highly respected throughout the industry and its governing bodies. His shrewd mind and level demeanour were ever-present, serving as Chair of the Maritime Lumber Bureau, President of the Forest Products Association of Nova Scotia, Representative for the Canadian Wood Council and a Founding Director of the Atlantic Lumber Board, among other roles. He spoke proudly of the 11,500 Nova Scotians whose livelihood depended on the Forest Products Sector and held himself to the highest standard in fulfilling his responsibilities to the larger community.

Closer to home, Richard was instrumental in creating the Greenfield Community Park, establishing the Greenfield Community Resource Centre Society and constructing the new Greenfield Elementary School. “Without an elementary school, we don’t have a community” was a mantra as he and a small group worked tirelessly against the odds to build the gem of a rural consolidated school. His contributions ensure Greenfield will be a desirable, family-driven community for generations.

The day before his passing, Richard was awarded the King Charles III Coronation Medal for his contributions to Nova Scotia and its communities.

The Wrecked Propeller

As Richard’s business grew, so did his family. Richard and Annette were married in 1988, and had their only child, daughter Kathryn (“Kate”), almost a decade later.

As a fanatical water and snow sports enthusiast, Richard ensured that the apple of his eye would be just as enthralled with these athletic pursuits. Kate learned to water and alpine ski at a young age, but as she outgrew his coaching acumen, Richard continued to provide support in his own, mechanically inclined, ways.

One Summer, Richard built a water ski jump for the Water Ski Wakeboard Nova Scotia athletes to train on Ponhook Lake. One Winter, Richard became the de facto ski tuning expert for the Martock Ski Race Club. The first year the Freemans hosted the Nova Scotia Water Ski Provincials, Richard, on a foggy morning, accidentally wrecked a boat propeller on a submerged rock before the tournament began. Always prepared with a backup and a Formula One team of Dads, the tournament was up and running in record time. The following year, the wrecked propeller was repurposed into a trophy coined the “Mangler Award,” celebrating the best short-line slalom scores — a perfect example of his elaborate, quirky sense of humour.

Richard served on the boards of Water Ski Wakeboard Nova Scotia, Alpine Ski Nova Scotia, and Martock Ski Race Club. True to form, his support for Kate’s athletic career went above and beyond that of a sideline spectator.

A lifelong learner, Richard was highly respected and appreciated professionally. But it was how he lived — with curiosity, generosity and unwavering devotion to family, friends and the community — that left the deepest mark. He will be fondly remembered and profoundly missed by all who had the privilege of knowing him, whether in boardrooms, on the water, at the ski hill, or jamming with the band.

He is survived by his wife, Annette (Tenwolde) Greenfield, daughter Kathryn Freeman (Tanner McGrath) Dartmouth; brother Charles Freeman (Crystal Lohnes) Greenfield; sisters Charalyn (Jerry) Kriz, British Columbia; Heather (Sam) Arthur, British Columbia; and Marianne (George) Morrison, Fall River.

Cremation has taken place under the direction of Chandlers’ Funeral Home, Liverpool, NS. The Celebration of Life will be held at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, June 4, 2025, at Greenfield Baptist Church.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to: Brigadoon Village. A pediatric medical camp that gives extraordinary kids the chance to be ordinary. http://support.brigadoonvillage.org/goto/RichardFreeman or Greenfield Baptist Church; 5048 Hwy 210, Greenfield, NS B0T 1E0

The Family would like to express their heartfelt thanks to the Duke Brain Tumor Center and the South Shore Regional Hospital for their compassionate care and support.