In Memoriam: Joseph Freeman, J.P. Freeman & Company

Security Industry Association (SIA) members and the security industry have mourned the recent loss of Joseph Freeman, Ph.D., a longtime strategist, researcher and business leader in the security industry, who was especially influential in the residential security and home automation space.

A veteran of the Korean War, Freeman had a lifelong dedication for protecting citizens of our nation and improving their lives. Freeman’s market research firm, J.P. Freeman & Company, provided many professionals the industry updates they needed to shape business strategy, and he was extensively involved in many industry organizations, including SIA, in addition to the International Biometrics Association and the Home Automation Association. His contributions and dedication to the industry and to SIA are sorely missed.

SIA shares below the official obituary provided by his family:

Dr. Joseph Peter Freeman of Newtown, Connecticut, passed away suddenly on Oct. 8 at the age of 88, after courageously battling a short illness at Yale New Haven Hospital. Joseph, also known as “Joe,” “Buddy” and “Pop-Pop” to many, was born on Jan. 11, 1933, to Joseph and Gertrude Freeman in Newark, New Jersey, and was raised in West Orange, New Jersey, where he attended primary and high school.

Joe attended Seton Hall University, where he earned his bachelor’s degree and MBA, and where he was a pitcher for the Seton Hall Pirates baseball team. Joe later received a Doctor of Science degree in management systems from the University of New Haven in Connecticut.

At the beginning of Joe’s professional career, he held business management positions at Remington, General Foods, General Electric and Wells Fargo Security. In 1982, Joe founded a successful home automation and security consulting and market research company, J.P. Freeman & Company, of which he was CEO for 30 years until he retired in 2012. Joe held positions as the director of the Security Industry Association, chairman of the International Biometrics Association and chairman of the Home Automation Association. During his professional years, Joe also taught college courses in business management and marketing at Western Connecticut State University, University of Bridgeport in Connecticut and New York Institute of Technology.

Joe was a veteran of the United States Army, proudly served two years in the 101st Airborne Division during the Korean War and was trained as an expert rifleman and weapons handler.

Joe spent 62 years with the love of his life, his wife Lucille, who shared his love and commitment to their family. Joe is survived by his four children who adored him and whom he cherished: Joseph Freeman, Jennifer Freeman, Mary Freeman (James) and Megan Lewis (George). He is also survived by his beloved sisters Kathleen and Geraldine; his granddaughter, Olivia, and step-granddaughters, Amber, Iesha and AnnaMarie; and numerous nieces and nephews. Joe is predeceased by his parents and sisters Bettyann and Nancy.

Joe modeled a well-lived active life and approached each day with a sense of purpose and positivity. He will be dearly missed by his family, who treasured his kind nature, strength of character, gentle humor and optimistic, playful and adventurous spirit. Though he left us entirely too soon, his strength and wisdom will live on through his amazing legacy, and he will live in our hearts and memories forever.

A funeral mass was celebrated on Monday, Oct. 18. A graveside service with full military honors was conducted at the Newtown Village Cemetery in Newtown, Connecticut.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be given to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or Shriners Hospitals for Children.

“What counts in life is not the mere fact that we have lived. It is what difference we have made to the lives of others that will determine the significance of the life we lead.” – Nelson Mandela