Sheldon B. Friedman, a commercial and industrial real estate broker on Long Island since the 1970s with what his family described as a “thirst for learning” and a love for music, died Oct. 6. He was 88.
Though Friedman, of Woodbury, was involved in real estate deals with such names as Goya Foods and Bactolac Pharmaceuticals, outside of work, he made sure family trips were teachable moments in addition to what was learned in textbooks.
“He wanted us to be there and see where these sites were, including the cannons of Fort Ticonderoga and to actually look at the Liberty Bell,” his daughter Joy Fallick of East Northport said, “so we would get a sense of history instead of just reading about it.”
After working for 25 years at Windsor Knit in the Garment District, eventually as vice president, Friedman started working in 1978 at Schacker Realty in Melville as a commercial real estate broker. The career change is remembered by those close to him.
“I did really end up following in my father’s footsteps by doing the same exact thing that he did at the same point of my life and for the same exact company,” said his son Gary Friedman, vice president and partner at Schacker Realty. “His thirst for learning was something that I apply to work every day — and his civic mindedness.”
Friedman, a former president of the Commercial Industrial Brokers Society of Long Island, later went on to work at Coldwell Banker, Greiner-Maltz and Heartland Business Center. He also volunteered often, making food deliveries for Project HOPE and serving as president for civic associations, including the South Park Civic Association and the now-defunct Greater Roslyn United Civic Association, his family said.
Outside of work, Friedman’s passions included music and theater, said his daughter Lesley Rosenthal of Scarsdale.
“My love of music comes from him and my mom, and it’s been my lifelong companion, thanks to him,” said Rosenthal, who is the chief operating officer of The Juilliard School, adding she recalled performing with her dad at a local synagogue.
Music was always in the house, said Friedman’s youngest son, Kenny Friedman of Huntington.
“My dad was playing the guitar and he had the Beatles albums … and my mom played the piano,” he said. “In our house, music was what you did.”
Born March 30, 1933 to Margaret and Max Friedman, he was raised in Brooklyn. He graduated from Long Island University Brooklyn with a bachelor’s degree in accounting.
Friedman was first married to Nancy Merblum, and they later divorced. He then married Deanna Robbins Friedman, also of Woodbury, who survives him.
Friedman is also survived by three stepchildren, Maureen Robbins of Albuquerque, New Mexico; Randi Solis of Lloyd Harbor, and Brian Robbins of New York; six grandchildren and six step-grandchildren.
A graveside funeral was held Oct. 10 at Beth Moses Cemetery in West Babylon.