Obituary of Freeman Courier
With profound sadness the family of Freeman Courier shares the news of his passing. As the new year was dawning, the sun was setting on his 30-year struggle with health issues and he passed away in the evening of January 1, 2025. Freeman will be sadly missed by--and live on in--his children, whom he loved fiercely, his son Cassidy (“Cass”) of Lower Cove and his daughter, Courtenay (Seamus McConachie) of Calgary, along with their mother, Charlene. His golden treasure was his granddaughter, Autumn, the best gift Cass ever gave him. His joy overflowed at becoming “Papa” and he embraced the role completely. He is also survived by the extended Morton family as well as seven step-grandchildren of the McConachie family. He was so happy to have visits from Courtenay and Seamus to look forward to during his last few summers and spent months planning little things that he would give them when they arrived.
Freeman was born May 11, 1954, to Godfrey and Alice (Carrier) Courier, into a large family in Belledune, on New Brunswick’s north shore, the first boy in a house full of girls. Among his favourite childhood memories were times spent with his father on the fishing boat. Deeply feeling his loss are twelve siblings: brothers—Truman (Kim), Kevin, Herman, Norman (Darlene), Evan and Nelson (Cindy); sisters—Muriel, Thelma, Fay, Sheila, Iva Jean, Hazel (Joe) and cherished childhood friend, Sammy. Also mourning his passing are a host of nieces and nephews, cousins and friends. Along with his parents, he was predeceased by two younger siblings, Joyce and Gavin, two nephews, Allen and Chucky, as well as two sisters in infancy/early childhood.
Truman and Freeman shared a bond like no other and we all dreaded the day when the “set” would be fractured. They had their own language, their own love language and their own world that no one else inhabited or could ever entirely explain. During the 67+ years they shared, they laughed, argued, reminisced about their childhood, yelled, solved world problems, analyzed politics at every level and reviewed the Canadian Tire flyer, together, each from their own homes. Living in separate provinces since their youth couldn’t weaken the relationship. They were “virtual” before it was cool. It wasn’t a typical day unless they spoke to each other multiple times by phone. Unlimited long distance appears to have been invented for them. They were each others’ adviser, confidante and safe place. In Freeman’s last hours, he asked whether we had let Truman know he was in hospital. As sick as he was on his last day, through transfers to two hospitals, the only thing that travelled with him was his phone--his connection to Truman.
When Freeman married into the Morton family more than four decades ago, he adopted them as his own and he was known to insinuate and imply that they were HIS blood and Charlene was the inlaw. The Mortons grafted him onto their family tree where he solidly remained for the rest of his days. He and “Uncle Pete” spent many days down through the years discussing antiques, pulling off “trades” and faithfully showing up on Wednesdays at the Sussex sale barn to swap stories and treasures with other enthusiasts, storytellers and kindred spirits who had likely also kissed the Blarney Stone. Freeman was passionate about photography, antique-collecting, hunting, fishing, gardening, gun-collecting and target practicing. An immeasurable amount of clay pigeons and aluminum cans were sacrificed to his marksmanship. He was proud to share his love and knowledge of firearms with some of his nephews and got to pass along to them some of his collection while he was here and could enjoy their appreciation for it. Freeman had a way about him that could possibly exasperate even the unfallen angels and yet people were drawn to him for more of the same as well as his heart of bottomless generosity.
Freeman was a member of the Barnesville Seventh-day Adventist Church and a former member of the Sussex Fish & Game Club. He never missed an opportunity to meet someone new or tell a new story to an old friend. He will be missed by those whose paths crossed his during his 70-year journey. The family is grateful to Dr Allaby and the entire team at Kiwanis Nursing Home who gave Freeman the best quality of life he could wish for over the past 21 months. Special thanks also goes to the ICU staff at Saint John Regional Hospital who presided over Freeman’s final hours with such kindness and compassion. Honouring Freeman’s wishes, there will be no visitation or funeral. His ashes will be placed near his childhood home on Bay Chaleur. There will be a gathering in the summer to celebrate his life through shared laughter, tears, stories and memories of the times of his life.
Freeman would have been a little surprised (and secretly so proud) at the outpouring of grief and condolence in the wake of his passing. Thank you all for your kind and thoughtful words and gestures and for sharing your memories of him. There is comfort in knowing that Freeman’s pain and struggles have ended and he went to his rest well-loved and in the assurance of his mansion in heaven (right beside the one being prepared for Truman) on that glorious family reunion day. Until then, Freeman will sleep off the diseases that challenged his quality of life for so long.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Wallace Funeral Home, 34 Sunnyside Drive, Sussex, NB (506-433-1176).
Donations in memory of Freeman may be made to a charity of the donor’s choice. Personal condolences to the family and donations may be made through wallacefuneralhome.com
In peace, dear one, lie sleeping; you’re just a breath away
from God’s eternal glories on Resurrection day.
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Sincere thank you to Wallace Funeral Home for their kind,
compassionate, accommodating and professional service.
