Frank and his wife, Chandra
Fire Mountain Gems and Beads owner Chris Freedman’s son-in-law, Frank, passed away recently after a courageous battle with glioblastoma, a swift and aggressive type of brain cancer. Glioblastoma is known for its rapid growth and invasiveness, often leading to symptoms such as headaches and seizures. Despite ongoing research, it remains challenging to treat, with a median survival time of about 15 months after diagnosis. Raising awareness about this disease is crucial as we strive for more effective treatments and support for affected families.
Frank's swift passing left a profound void in the lives of those who loved him, but his memory lives on through a unique and beautiful tribute. Frank’s wife and Chris’ daughter, Chandra, discovered Eternal Reefs, a company dedicated to creating artificial reefs to replace those destroyed by hurricanes in the gulf area.
This innovative approach not only honors loved ones, but also contributes to the healing of our planet's damaged coral reefs.
Chris shared, “Frank was only 43 years old when he passed, he was another son to our family. He served in the Marines for eight years and was honored with a military tribute for his years of service. He worked at Johns Hopkins University Hospital as a director in the maintenance department. He was responsible for overseeing 1,600 personnel who kept the hospital running smoothly, elevators, trains underneath to move food from one building to the next, and for those people who kept the rooms clean and sanitary. He was well respected both in the miliary and in his profession. Most of all, he was a wonderful husband, father, brother, son to his mom and mother-in-law, as well as all who called him family and friend.”
To commemorate Frank's life, Chandra chose Eternal Reefs to transform his ashes into a living legacy. Each family member was given a portion of the reef to adorn with keepsakes, mementos, and yes, even beads. One touching tribute included alphabet beads spelling out his name and “Uncle,” ensuring his memory would forever be intertwined with the ocean’s life-giving waters.
The memorial vehicle is shown in the photos. His ashes were placed in the bottom chamber of the concrete structure. Then this whole structure is lowered by crane to its final resting place where new marine life will attach to the surface and help rebuild reefs.
Chandra shared, “We placed Frankie’s earthly body in the gulf off Sarasota on Monday, June 17th, 2024. He loved the ocean, and I believe he’s very happy in heaven with his final remembrance and act contributing to the rebuilding of the reef off the coast of Florida.”
These reefs serve as a poignant reminder of Frank's spirit and the enduring love of his family, while also symbolizing hope and renewal through their contribution to marine conservation. In remembering Frank, we celebrate not only his life but also the power of love to foster life and renewal. His legacy will continue to flourish beneath the waves, a testament to the enduring connection between humanity and the natural world.
Learn more about Eternal Reefs at eternalreefs.com.
The Sea
"I really don't know why it is that all of us are so committed to the sea, except I think it's because in addition to the fact that the sea changes, and the light changes, and ships change, it's because we all came from the sea. And it is an interesting biological fact that all of us have in our veins the exact same percentage of salt in our blood that exists in the ocean. And therefore, we have salt in our blood, sweat and in our tears. We are tied to the ocean, and when we go back to the sea - whether it is to sail or to watch it - we are going back from whence we came."
- John F. Kennedy
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