Samuel Lewis Frieder

Frieder Samuel L. Age 86, of Philadelphia, upstanding member of the Jewish community, died Wednesday, June 28, 2023 surrounded by his loved ones. Born in 1937 in Cincinnati Ohio, Sam lived a life filled with love, family and friends. At the age of two, Sam, his brother Richard (Dick), and his mother and father traveled to the Philippines via steamship to run the family cigar business, which he would later assume the role of CEO and President. While in the Philippines, Sam's father and mother, Herbert and Selda, played an instrumental role in helping many Jewish people escape from Germany, as told in the documentary Rescue in the Philippines. Upon moving back to the United States, the business relocated and landed in Philadelphia. Sam was raised in a reform Jewish family in suburban Philadelphia, where his parents took an active role in the Jewish community, which extended to the next generation. Sam ultimately went on to serve as Vice-President of Rodeph Shalom Congregation, and as Co-President of the Jewish Family and Children's Service of Greater Philadelphia. Sam graduated from Penn Charter, where he excelled as an All-City Soccer player, and went on to continue his academic and athletic journey at Harvard University. While at Harvard, he met the love of his life Carol Flax. The story as he told it to his grandchildren was that his parents required him to graduate prior to marrying Carol, so he ultimately graduated in three years. The young love story resulted in a 67-year marriage with 4 children, 14 grandchildren, and 3 great grandchildren. Sam and his brother Dick raised their families within miles of one another, where the cousins felt like siblings -- all Philadelphia area cousins attended Abington Friends. The Frieder's maintained their connectivity to their Boston family through frequent trips to celebrate holidays and visits to Cape Cod. They were like a big team going through life together. After retiring, Sam remained an active member of the Philadelphia community. He dedicated considerable effort to supporting the Jewish Family and Children's Service of Greater Philadelphia and served as the Chairman of Einstein Hospital, whose mission was to serve people who could not afford medical care. An avid Philadelphia Eagles, Sixers and Villanova basketball fan, Sam was someone you always wanted rooting for you. Sam had an infectious smile and warmth that touched people from all walks of life. Sam could always be found on the tennis court, where he never failed to hustle but was a great sport along the way. There was no greater joy to him than playing with his children and ultimately sharing his passion with all of his grandchildren. Most importantly, Sam instilled the importance and values of family, ambition, intellectual curiosity, and generosity for generations to come and will always be remembered as the epitome of a gentleman. Sam is survived by his wife Carol, children -- Cathy (Jimmy), Susan, Samuel (Wendy), Stephen (Claire), grandchildren - Julie (Steve), Amy (Jeremy), Natalie, Jeffrey (Ellen), Ethan (Kyra), Jane, Charles, William, Daniel, Grace, and great grandchildren -- Jason, Emma, Harrison.

Published by The Philadelphia Inquirer on Jun. 29, 2023.