Erwin "Ernie" Friedman

Erwin Aaron Friedman, known by all as Ernie, was born February 11, 1931 in Savannah GA.?? He and his brother, Karl, were raised by Harry and Rose Friedman.?? Ernie attended Armstrong Jr. College, the school he regularly claimed provided the best education he ever received.?? He played college basketball and was known for his great left handed hook shot.?? He subsequently attended the University of Pennsylvania as an undergraduate.?? His postgraduate work was done at Emory University School of Law where he graduated first in his class and at New York University for additional training in tax law.



In 1951, he married his childhood sweetheart, Mary Weitz, to whom he was happily married for 62 years.?? They had two children, Stephen and Abby, both of whom live with their families in Atlanta.?? With two other young attorneys, he founded the law firm, Friedman, Haslam, & Weiner.?? After a long and successful law career, he began a second career in the real estate development business which included the development of Georgetown.



Ernie strongly believed in community involvement and was involved in numerous civic organizations often in a leadership role.?? He was President of his synagogue, Congregation Agudath Achim for three years and spearheaded the fundraising and construction of the current building.?? He was President of the Savannah Jewish Federation and served on the board of the Jewish Educational Alliance.?? Appointed by Governor George Busbee to Georgia's Board of Regents, he served as Chairman of the Board during his term.?? One of his proudest accomplishments was serving on the Southern Education Foundation for 18 years.



He was recognized by several organizations for his contributions and received numerous awards including the Silver Beaver for his work building the new Boy Scout camp, Camp Blue Heron, and the Outstanding Alumni of the Year at Armstrong State College.



Despite the numerous accolades he received during his life, Ernie considered his greatest 'accomplishments' his 62 years of marriage to his beloved Mary, his two children, Stephen and Abby, and their spouses, Annette and Harry, and his five grandchildren, Isaac, Eli, Alexandra, Aaron, and Halle.?? He will be remembered by the many people whose lives he touched for his love of life, particularly his passion for Tybee Island, the back river, fishing, looking for buried treasures in the sand dunes, body surfing in the ocean, and organizing the 10th Street Tybee Jamboree Parade for the 4th of July.



The funeral service will be held at 1 o'clock Friday afternoon at Congregation Agudath Achim conducted by Rabbi Ruven Barkan. Interment will be in Bonaventure Cemetery.



Those who wish to remember Ernie with a contribution are asked to consider Congregation Agudath Achim ' 9 Lee Boulevard, Savannah, Georgia 31405 or Hospice Savannah ' Post Office Box 13190, Savannah, Georgia 31416, or a charity of their choice.