Norman Friedman Was Veteran, Island Official

Norman Friedman, longtime resident of Oak Bluffs, died on Wednesday, June 11, at the Martha's Vineyard Hospital.

He was born on Oct. 27, 1922 in Fall River, the son of Charles and Sarah (Seligson) Friedman. He soon moved to the Bronx, N.Y., where he went to DeWitt-Clinton High School and later New York University School of Commerce, Accounts and Finance, and obtained his bachelor of science degree. In 1948 he received a bachelor of science degree from the New York University School of journalism.

Between high school and college, he enlisted into the Army during World War II. He was stationed with Company C 101st Signal Battalion and participated in landings on Kwajalein, Saipan, Leyte, Okinawa and the occupation of Korea. He received the Asiatic-Pacific Theater Ribbon with three bronze stars, the Philippine Islands Liberation Ribbon, Meritorious Service Insignia, four Overseas Service Bars and the 24th Corps Shoulder Patch.

Previously summering on Martha's Vineyard, he permanently moved to Oak Bluffs in 1949. Here he helped his parents operate The Corner Store on Circuit avenue. He would eventually take over as proprietor until he sold the business in 1974.

Norman served as the administrator of the Martha's Vineyard Commission from 1974 to 1992, and he held positions as chairman of the Oak Bluffs finance committee, director for the Oak Bluffs Council on Aging and member of the Joint Transportation Committee of Dukes County.

Norman enjoyed golfing and was a member of the Farm Neck Golf Club and of the former Island Country Club. He was a member of the VFW and honorary member of the PA Club. He was a master Mason with the Joshua Masonic Lodge in New York. He also had a deep appreciation for music and a great love of people.

He is survived by his two sons, Michael Friedman of Boston and his fiancée, Katherine Reardon of Attleboro, and Mark Friedman and his wife, Jenny of Boston. He is also survived by his brother, Bernard Friedman and his wife, Ruthie of Chicago and their children, Linda Berz of Chicago and Jeffrey Friedman of Baltimore; his aunt, Pauline Seligson of Florida, and his former wife, Patricia Bakke of Edgartown and many beloved friends.

His funeral service will be held in the Hebrew Center, Vineyard Haven on Friday, June 13, 2003 at 3:30 p.m. Interment will follow in the Hebrew Cemetery, Vineyard Haven with military honors provided by the Martha's Vineyard veterans. Arrangements are by the Chapman, Cole and Gleason Funeral Home in Oak Bluffs. Donations may be made in his memory to Hospice of Martha's Vineyard, P.O. Box 2549, Oak Bluffs, MA 02557.