Aaron ” Archie” Freedman

“Archie” Freedman, 100
WORCESTER – Aaron “Archie” Freedman, 100, of 2 Silver Spruce Circle, died peacefully Thursday night at his home.
He leaves two sons: Sidney and his wife Lisa Freedman of Worcester and Dr. David Freedman and his wife, Dr. Susan Peirce of Clemson, SC; his brother, Eli Freedman and his wife Rebecca of Worcester; six grancdhildren: Dov, Dalilah, Dahci, Desirae, Hannah and Micah and four great-grandchildren: Cara, Michael, Annabelle and Dylan. His wife of 47 years, Dorothy (Shack) Freedman died in 1994. His son, Gerald died in 2005.
Archie was one of 10 children whose parents emigrated from Russia. He was born in Brooklyn, NY in 1911 and the family moved to Worcester in 1916. He attended Providence St. Grammar School, Grafton Street Jr. High and Commerce High School. Archie served as a Staff Sergeant in World War II, at General Eisenhower’s staff headquarters in Europe.
In 1938, Archie started the Olympic Sports and Trophy Company with his brother Eli; several years later, brothers Joe, Mike, Ed and Ben joined the business. In 1960, the company moved to 204 Main Street, where it is still operated by Archie’s son Sidney.
Archie was an outstanding athlete. He learned many of his skills at the Ionic Avenue Boys Club, which he joined in 1920. In 1930, he was selected for the Telegram & Gazette All City All-star basketball team, the same year Commerce High School won the all-city title. Post high school, Archie played for several teams, including the Young Men’s Hebrew Association. He later  played handball and racquetball. After passing the age of 50, he won the State of Massachusetts racquetball championship in the Master Division and was Class A doubles champion in handball with partner Warren Williams. In 1982, he was awarded the David W. Armstrong Award from the Worcester Boys Club Alumni Association, given to members whose achievements in adult life were influenced in a significant way by their active years of membership in the Boy’s Club.
Funeral services will be at 11:30 am on Sunday, May 20th at Temple Sinai, 661 Salisbury St., under the direction of Richard Perlman of Brezniak-Rodman Funeral Home of Newton.
Burial will be in  B’nai Brith Cemetery. Memorial observance will be announced.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Boys and Girls Clubs of Worcester (WWW.BGCA.ORG)