Richard Alison Freebourn Sr

Richard Alison Freebourn, Sr. passed away peacefully, surrounded by family on January 30, 2024, at the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville Beach, FL.

Richard was born on December 18, 1947, in Erie, PA to Donald and Lois Freebourn. He married the love of his life, Brenda on August 12, 1967. Richard served his country as a Dispersing Clerk aboard the USS Suribachi AE-21 out of Mayport, FL. After the navy he earned a degree in accounting from the University of South Florida in Tampa, FL, supported by the government’s GI Education Bill. Richard was the first of his family to graduate with a college degree. Brenda and Richard raised two boys, Richard Jr. (Cori) of Batavia, IL and PJ (Paige Reisenfeld) of Richmond, VA.

Richard had a 37 year career with Brown & Brown Insurance in Ft. Myers, FL, Indianapolis, IN, and Daytona Beach, FL. He was a mentor to many and helped form many facets of the internal operations of the company. Richard was proud to earn both the Certified Property Casualty Underwriter and Certified Insurance Counselor designations. In 2002, he received the prestigious and rarely presented King Cheetah award from Brown & Brown for his outstanding service and contributions to the company.

In addition to his professional career, Richard served on many youth athletic boards including Cape Coral Little League, Cape Coral Babe Ruth Baseball and Cape Coral Pop Warner Football. He was also known to coach little league and Babe Ruth baseball teams. Many knew him as the voice of the Cape Coral High School Seahawks and Mariner High School Tritons football and basketball games, serving as announcer in the 1980s and 1990s. He also could be heard announcing pop warner football games on Saturday afternoons in the fall. Additionally, he was a contributing writer to the Cape Coral Daily Breeze newspaper on pop warner football highlights and results.

Although he was very proud of his professional accomplishments and personal contributions, he is most proud of his four grandchildren, Taylor (30), Logan (28), Reagan (23) and Ethan (19). He loved spending time with them and took them each to New York on their 10th birthdays for the Macy’s Day parade, Broadway shows and other New York City experiences.

Richard will always be remembered as kind, thoughtful, diligent, and loyal friend. He is proceeded in death by his Father, Donald Freebourn and Daughter-in-law, Brooke Freebourn.

He is survived by his wife, children, grandchildren, brothers (Don and Phillip), sister (Rita) and Mother.

Richard will be laid to rest in Spruce Pine, NC, his favorite place on the planet on Friday, February 9, 2024.

There will a celebration of life in Daytona Beach, FL at a later time.