Mark J. Freedman
March 29, 1962 — September 22, 2025
- MARK J. FREEDMAN
- It is with deep love and heartbreaking sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved Mark J. Freedman, born March 29, 1962, in Los Angeles, California. Mark passed away peacefully on September 22, 2025, in Wisconsin at the age of 63, surrounded by his devoted and loving family. He leaves behind a legacy of love, laughter, kindness, and beautiful memories that will be cherished in our hearts forever.
- Mark was the cherished and devoted husband of Maryann with whom he shared 44 extraordinary years together, 35 of them as husband and wife. Their life together was a true partnership and a beautiful journey filled with deep love, unwavering devotion, companionship and countless moments of joy and laughter. Their life together was a beautiful testament to a love so deep and enduring that it shaped every moment they shared and touched everyone around them. Mark was a treasured husband, son, brother, uncle, great-uncle, great-great uncle, and a loyal friend and neighbor, all of whom will deeply miss his hearty laugh, steady support, compassionate spirit and dry (and sometimes sarcastic) sense of humor. The love and light he gave to Maryann, his family and friends will never fade.
- In addition to Maryann, Mark is survived by his mother, Erla Freedman. He was preceded in death by his father, Allan Freedman, and father-in-law and mother-in-law, Albert and Stephanie Zigoy. He is further survived by his sister, Holly Freedman, sister-in-law Rose (the late Tom) Osberg, nieces Debbie (Jeff) Lehnerz, Christie Osberg, nephews Eric (Renee) Osberg, Ted (Cindy) Osberg, Ryan Fitzgibbons, Evan Fitzgibbons, great-nieces and nephews, Brittany (Chad) Mowery, Mike (Tracy) Lehnerz, Amanda Lehnerz (Jared Werni), Dan (Teal) Osberg, Ellie Osberg, Henry Osberg, Zoe Osberg, Zac Osberg, and great-great nieces and nephews Lauren, TJ and Will Mowery and Charlie and Sydney Lehnerz. He also leaves behind dear friends Rick and Gail Pollak, Phil and Julie Baris and Joseph Chavez. Mark will also be missed by great friends Frank, Nancy and KC Catullo, owners of Pastina Trattoria in Los Angeles, the Italian restaurant that held a special place in his and Maryann’s heart. Their friendship, generosity and warmth brought great joy to Mark, and their kindness will always be remembered with gratitude and affection.
- Mark was not only a loving husband, but also a kind, thoughtful, and generous man who had a large personality that we all loved. He had a face and personality that people remembered, recognized and naturally gravitated toward. He had a magnetic, confident and full of life presence which brought warmth, comfort and laughter to those around him.
- Mark received a Bachelor’s Degree in Finance and worked his way up the ladder to CFO. He loved running companies financially and helping them prosper. He was loyal and dedicated to the companies he worked for, and he had an incredible work ethic. Whatever he took on, he approached it with focus, honesty and an unwavering sense of responsibility. He was known for his commitment to excellence in everything he did. He was never an “ivory tower” type of executive. He would roll up his sleeves, and as he liked to say, “get into the weeds” to identify a problem and solve it. No job was too small for him. Mark had an exceptional talent for understanding how organizations worked and finding practical solutions that led them forward.
- Later in his career he became a C-Suite Consultant who specialized in helping financially distressed companies reorganize and return to profitability, using his sharp mind and steady leadership. He had a gift for seeing the big picture. He loved to help struggling companies with financial restructuring, cash flow management, and turnaround strategies to restore solvency and long-term viability. He also had a talent for preparing businesses for sale and position themselves for successful acquisitions. His financial insight and strategic skill allowed him to help companies across a wide range of industries, adapting to each one’s unique challenges. He gave his all to every project, always with integrity, patience and care. Watching him do what he loved, and knowing how much he loved seeing a successful end, was one of the many things that made us admire him so deeply.
- Beyond Mark’s professional achievements, it was the love of his life, Maryann, and the closeness of family and friends that meant the most to him. He had a curious mind, a quest for knowledge and many interesting hobbies that reflected his love of learning, exploration and music. In junior high school, Mark excelled academically, earning a place in the Honors Program and membership in the Athenians, the school’s Honor Society. He also played the clarinet and earned the position of Principal (first chair) in the Advanced Band at Orville Wright Junior High School. His performance at his Bar Mitzvah was a particularly proud moment for his parents. As a young adult, he often hiked in the Sierra Nevada mountains in Northern California, and had many stories to tell about his adventures. He also loved sailing to Catalina Island on the family’s sailboat and racing side-by-side with his Dad, proudly winning many regattas together. After his Dad passed away, those sailing memories stayed with him throughout his life. Mark especially found joy in astronomy, animals and carnivorous plants. He spent countless hours taking pictures of nebulae, galaxies, and planets with his treasured telescope. He also enjoyed collecting carnivorous plants, and his collection consisted of unusual and beautiful varieties. Mark enjoyed working with his hands and building things, and he personally and passionately built a reverse osmosis watering system for those plants. Mark was forever grateful to Sonia Galindo, Mark and Maryann’s dear friend and neighbor, for her attentive care of his carnivorous plants and their other outdoor and indoor plants, and for also looking after their Los Angeles home whenever they were traveling. Mark had an eye for nature’s artistry, and he collected a variety of beautiful and unique mineral specimens, carefully chosen and proudly displayed in their home. He enjoyed spending time at the shooting ranges in Wisconsin with his nephew Ted and great nephew Mike, where they shared laughter, stories and a bond that meant so much to him. In Los Angeles he also enjoyed his time at the range with close friend, Phil Baris, whose friendship he deeply valued. Mark also enjoyed the excitement of casinos, particularly in Las Vegas, where he and Maryann enjoyed the lively atmosphere of playing craps and blackjack together. He enjoyed teaching their great-niece Amanda how to play blackjack, and treasured their outings to local casinos where many special memories were created. Mark had a true appreciation for good food. Mark and Maryann enjoyed going out and experiencing new restaurants and cuisines wherever they went, and it was even more meaningful in the company of family and friends. Cooking was one of the many joys Mark and Maryann shared at home. He found great pleasure in creating dishes that reflected his creativity, and which were an expression of who he was. Mark also loved a fine, well-poured single malt Scotch or a well-aged Bourbon, enjoying the warmth and connection they often brought to the table, especially when shared with the people who meant the most to him. Mark was one of the first original members of the L.A. Scotch Club whom he joined with his friend, Marshall Naiman. The L.A. Scotch Club tasting events were a highlight for him where he enjoyed not only fine Scotches, but the camaraderie among the members. Mark also enjoyed relaxing with a good cigar and great conversation. He especially cherished time spent with treasured friends Phil Baris and Rick Pollak over a good Scotch or Bourbon and a fine cigar – moments filled with laughter, stories and genuine friendship. He also enjoyed the many Thursday evenings spent at the Grand Havana Room in Beverly Hills. Those times were special to him – he always looked forward to the conversation, laughter and being with friends.
- Mark’s memory will live on in the hearts of those who knew and loved him. His legacy is one of enduring love, kindness, quiet strength and generosity. Mark’s love, laughter, and generosity touched all who knew him. His wisdom and steady presence will be remembered with gratitude and love. His love and devotion will forever echo in our hearts, and he will remain with us forever. His presence was a gift, and his absence leaves an ache in our hearts, and even though his presence is deeply missed, his spirit remains with us in every smile, every laugh, every shared story and every cherished moment that made our lives richer.
- A Memorial Service to honor and celebrate Mark’s life will be held on November 8, , 2025 at Max A. Sass & Sons, Greenridge Chapel, 4747 South 60th Street, Greenfield, WI 53220. Visitation will be from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM with eulogies beginning at 11:00 AM.
- In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Mark’s honor to the American Astronomical Society (https://aas.org), Wounded Warrior Project (https://www.woundedwarriorproject.org) and/or Tunnel to Towers Foundation (https://t2t.org).
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