Skip to main content

Kenneth Freeman

Thu, 08/12/2021 - 11:54

Kenneth Freeman, a lifelong horse lover and carriage driving enthusiast, died on Aug. 3 at Long Island Community Hospital in Patchogue, following an accident doing what he loved most, driving his carriage. He was 76.

A co-owner of Home Sweet Home Moving and Storage in Wainscott, he was at the helm of the company for the past two decades. 

Mr. Freeman was born on May 21, 1945, in White Plains, N.Y., to Birger Nils Freeman and the former Erna Marie Grube. He moved around in his younger life, but spent many "happy summers in Rhinebeck, N.Y.," wrote his godson, Hal Petri of North Salem, N.Y. It was in Rhinebeck that Mr. Freeman developed his love of animals, the country life, and horse and carriage drives. 

In the early 1970s, Mr. Freeman moved to East Hampton, where he had a horse farm on Hand's Creek Road with his wife of 47 years, Donna Conklin Freeman, who survives. 

He gave countless cats and dogs a home and helped feed feral cats that lived near the beaches. 

"The quintessential country gentleman, Ken brought style and grace to every soiree," his godson said. He was also a "proud member of the Devon Yacht Club" in Amagansett, where fellow club members "could always expect a good laugh in his presence," Mr. Petri said. "With an impish grin and genial personality, he could light up the room."

In addition to his wife, Mr. Freeman is survived by a sister, Carla Forelli of Benson, Ariz. A brother, Daniel Freeman, died before him. 

Mr. Freeman was cremated. A memorial service will be held in the fall at his farm in East Hampton. 

Contributions in his memory have been suggested to the Animal Rescue Fund of the Hamptons, P.O. Box 2616, East Hampton 11937.

Villages

Countdown to the Three Mile Harbor Fireworks

The Clamshell Foundation's Great Bonac Fireworks Show over Three Mile Harbor is scheduled for Saturday at 9 p.m. with a rain date of Sunday. Because of the increase in boat traffic expected, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation has announced the closure of Three Mile Harbor to shellfishing starting at sunrise on Saturday. 

Jul 10, 2025

A ‘Good Trouble’ Protest Up Next

Weeks after the “No Kings” rally brought an estimated 1,200 people to East Hampton Town Hall, another demonstration to protest the Trump administration will happen next Thursday, with a nod to the late civil rights icon John Lewis.

Jul 10, 2025

Item of the Week: On the F.H. Warner Bakery

This photo from The Star archive shows the F.H. Warner Bakery, built in 1893 and sometimes known as the Montauk Bakery, when it stood next to the Methodist Church, near Hook Mill.

Jul 10, 2025

 

Your support for The East Hampton Star helps us deliver the news, arts, and community information you need. Whether you are an online subscriber, get the paper in the mail, delivered to your door in Manhattan, or are just passing through, every reader counts. We value you for being part of The Star family.

Your subscription to The Star does more than get you great arts, news, sports, and outdoors stories. It makes everything we do possible.