Edward B. Friedman

Edward B. Friedman (z”l) passed away peacefully at his home in Houston, TX on Tuesday, December 27th, 2022. Ed was born on April 17, 1934 in Yonkers, NY to the late Sidney and Rose Friedman. Ed attended college at University of Vermont, where he was a member of Tau Epsilon Phi and graduated with a business and technology degree in 1956. He married his high school sweetheart, Wilma Bolton Friedman on December 25th, 1956. After his graduation, he served as a cook in the U.S. Army, and had his first child, Lee Friedman. Following his service, he moved the family back to Yonkers, where he got his first retail job at Macy’s, selling toys during the holiday season, and where his second child, Nancy, was born. After getting a job at Rich’s, another Federated store, the family moved to Atlanta. He continued working in retail, specifically at Federated stores, for his entire career, slowly making his way down south to warmer weather. In 1965, shortly after his third child, Kenny, was born prematurely, Ed was transferred to Foley’s in Houston, TX. While Wilma stayed behind to care for Kenny in the hospital, Ed moved to Texas with Lee and Nancy, until the family could be reunited. A few years later, his last child, Lois, was born in Houston. Ed worked his way up through executive management at Foley’s, eventually becoming Senior Vice President of Home Furnishings and Textiles in 1979. His Foley’s friends became family–he was revered and loved by all who worked with and for him. While he was known to have a short temper at times, he was a generous mentor and cared deeply for this tight-knit community. His late wife, Wilma, always made sure everyone had baked goods for the holidays, and together, they hosted many company parties, especially after purchasing a family beach house in Galveston in 1975. Ed retired from Foley’s in 1988. Not one to enjoy being idle, Ed opened his own rug and carpet store–The Great Rug Company–in 1989, where he focused on being one of the only moderately priced area rug stores in Houston and specialized in making custom rugs out of carpet. Even after retiring again, and passing the family business down to his daughter, Lois, and son in law, John, Ed continued going into the store for many years. He eventually settled into a regular routine: working out at the JCC every morning, going to the rug store to read his papers and have some lunch, then taking a little nap in the back room before going home in the afternoon. When Ed wasn’t working, he enjoyed fishing, relaxing in the sun, spending time with family and friends, cooking, and traveling with his beloved wife, Wilma. Together, they explored the world, and were able to celebrate their 60th anniversary before Wilma passed away. He loved her fiercely and was constantly by her side until her death in 2017. This Christmas marked 66 years since their wedding. Family and Jewish tradition were both important to Ed. Upon moving to Houston, he and Wilma joined Congregation Brith Shalom, where they made lifelong friends, celebrated Lee and Nancy becoming B’nei Mitzvah, and were very involved in the community. Later on, they moved to Congregation Beth Israel, where they celebrated Kenny and Lois becoming B’nei Mitzvah, as well as the B’nei Mitzvah ceremonies of five grandchildren. The family spent many Jewish holidays around the big glass dining room table–from Passover seders where Ed made his own edits to get to the food faster, to brisket and latke dinners. He was fortunate to celebrate one final Chanukah this year, surrounded by family. Ed was also one to make his own traditions and rituals, deciding at one point that the quality of the matzah balls each Passover seder would determine how the Astros would play that season. He was thrilled to celebrate two world series wins in the past few years. Ed was preceded in death by his parents, Sidney and Rose Friedman, parents-in-law, Esther and Harry Bolton, brother and sister-in-law, Sandy and Gloria Friedman, brother-in-law Stan Goldstein, and beloved wife, Wilma Friedman. He is survived by brother Richie Friedman, sister-in-law Rena Goldstein, children Lee and Sheree Friedman, Nancy and Bill Taute, Kenny and Lori Friedman, and Lois and John Snider, as well as grandchildren Joey and Shauna Taute, Becca and Laura Taute Wallace, Curtis Friedman, Alyssa Snider, Kyle Friedman, Lauren Snider, Evan Snider, and Carter Friedman. He has three great grandchildren: Brooks, Owen, and Emery Taute. Ed is also survived by many cousins, nieces, and nephews from the East coast to the West coast. The family would like to thank Rick & Bud for their continued friendship these last few years, when Dad could no longer meet for lunch, they would come visit with him at home. We would also like to thank Ed's neighbors, Bob & Sandy and Moira for always looking out for him, especially during Harvey and the ice storm. Lastly, we would like to thank his caregivers Sabrina & Lillian for making it possible to live at home, that was very important to Ed, he did not want to live in a nursing home. Should you wish to make a donation in Ed’s memory, his family asks that you contribute to Susan G. Komen, the Samuel E. Karff Endowment Fund at Congregation Beth Israel Houston, or the Building & Sanctuary Fund at Congregation Beth Israel Austin. A funeral service was held in the Proler Chapel at Congregation Beth Israel Memorial Garden, 1101 Antoine Dr., Houston, Texas 77055 on Thursday, December 29, 2022 at 2:00 pm. A recording of the service can be viewed at: https://view.oneroomstreaming.com/index.php?data=MTY3MjI1NzU5OTIyNjkzNyZvbmVyb29tLWFkbWluJmNvcHlfbGluaw== Live streams may be interrupted due to poor internet signal at the cemetery. Unfortunately these are circumstances outside of our control. The funeral service is also being recorded in real time and will be uploaded as soon as the funeral service is completed. If you are watching the live stream and it is disrupted or you log in and the service isn’t available, please check back later.

Edward B. Friedman

April 17, 1934 - December 27, 2022