Eugene Freedman is widely known as the founder of the Enesco Corporation, the worldwide distributor for Precious Moments porcelain figurines between 1997 and 2005.
15 Facts About Eugene Freedman
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When Eugene was still a small child, the family moved to Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
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Eugene Freedman attended Northwestern University and California Institute of Technology.
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Eugene Freedman received his Navy commission at University of Notre Dame and is a World War II veteran.
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Eugene Freedman began his career in 1947 as a salesman for a Milwaukee-based gift and novelty company under his own name, Eugene Freedman, Co.
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Eugene Freedman resigned in 1958 to become one of the founders of Enesco Imports, a subsidiary of N Shure, Co.
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When N Shure was sold to Butler Brothers in 1967, Freedman became president and CEO of this subsidiary, renamed Enesco Corporation.
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Eugene Freedman was sold three more times, ending up named Stanhome, Inc in 1983.
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In 1998, when Enesco took over Stanhome's assets, Eugene Freedman stepped down as president and CEO but remained active in the corporate workings of the company thus the company presented him with the title of "Founding Chairman".
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Eugene Freedman is credited with the success of the Precious Moments gift and collectibles.
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Eugene Freedman served as "Ambassador of Goodwill" for Precious Moments Inc when that company took ownership of the Precious Moments figurine line, and lent a hand to gift vendor Starlite Originals, which produced a line of collectibles, Elsa's Safari, named in honor of Freedman's granddaughter.
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Eugene Freedman received the Gift for Life's Chuck Yancy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2001 for his efforts to fight AIDS, the Boys and Girls Clubs of America's Herbert Hoover Humanitarian award in 2004, and the Easter Seals National Philanthropist of the Year award in 2005.
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Eugene Freedman was honored with the Congressional Ellis Island Medal of Honor, and a special recognition award from the National Association of Limited Edition Dealers, among many other awards.
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Eugene Freedman died on Tuesday, February 19,2008 in Maui, Hawaii, where he had a second home.
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In lieu of flowers, the Eugene Freedman family requested donations be made in memory of Eugene Freedman to either the Boys and Girls Clubs of America or Easter Seals.