 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: John J. Moses
Date: 2014-04-12 08:55
Steve was a dear friend of mine. He was always kind & helpful during my visits to the NY Philharmonic as a frequent sub in the clarinet section. I will miss him, as will many others here in NYC. He & his wife Judy had just moved out to California, & it seems his passing was quite sudden.
STEPHEN FREEMAN
Obituary
FREEMAN--Stephen. The New York Philharmonic mourns the passing, on February 25, of Stephen Freeman, who served as the Orchestra's Bass Clarinet, 1966 - 2009. We extend our deepest condolences to his widow, Judith; his sons, Eric and Gene; and the rest of his family.
Published in The New York Times on Mar. 20, 2014
JJM
Légère Artist
Clark W. Fobes Artist
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Author: John J. Moses
Date: 2014-04-14 19:20
More on Steve's passing via his wife, Judy:
We were in California for our 5th winter as "snowbirds" when this all happened to Steve totally out of the blue.
As to some of the tragic specifics of Steve's ending, this was not a heart attack, but four almost consecutive cardiac arrests, which despite multiple CPR and other life-saving interventions, resulted in ever increasing massive irreversible brain damage with the result that we subsequently had barely any contact with him. Steve passed from the complications of this brain damage after 7 1/2 days in intensive care, and then another 6 days in the hospital, all of which days were with massive medical and rehabilitative attempts. The 14th day was at home on hospice care. So that it how it has come to pass that Steve is now in his very well deserved rest.
But let us remember him first for his contributions to the clarinet and music world, and for all the ways that he touched many people's lives, with his musicianship and kindness.
John, thank you for taking the time to write an entry into the http://www.legacy.com/nytimes/stephen-freeman-condolences. It is and will always be heart warming to read any entries.
JJM
Légère Artist
Clark W. Fobes Artist
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Author: DougR
Date: 2014-04-14 20:36
Thanks for posting this, John. I only knew Steve by reputation, and from an article years ago in The Clarinet about the NY Philharmonic clarinet section (which I will go back and re-read, if I can find it.) He sounded like a real gent; the world could use more like him rather than fewer.
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Author: Ed Palanker
Date: 2014-04-15 20:14
I'm so sorry to hear of Steve's passing. I took his place in Baltimore when he left for Pittsburg and I was his runner up in the NY Phil audition. It was Judy that called me back in 62 to tell me that Steve was leaving Baltimore and thought I should audition for his position. I knew her in school and they were both very talented and pleasant people. RIP Steve.
ESP eddiesclarinet.com
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