Mr. Rodney Freeman, age 74 years, a resident of Thunder Bay, Ontario, passed away on July 8, 2026 at Hogarth Riverview Manor.
Rodney was just days away from his 75th birthday. He battled Parkinson’s Disease for nearly twenty years but rarely voiced any complaints. On the day he left us, he told his wife and a few friends that he was going on a trip today, and indeed he did. Absent from the body and present with the Lord.
His faith was strong and unwavering.
He was born on July 12, 1951 in Middleton, Nova Scotia, as the middle child in a family of eleven children.
During his childhood, he attended KBCA (Kingston Bible College Academy). He pursued undergraduate studies at Shelton College in Cape May, New Jersey from 1969 to 1971. He then went to Dalhousie University in Halifax, NS where he earned his BSc in 1973. He furthered his education at Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario and obtained his B. Ed in 1977. Finally, he attended Bob Jones University in Greenville, South Carolina where he completed his Master’s Degree in 1984.
Rodney served as both principal and teacher at various Christian Schools: Fruitland, Ontario (1977-1979); Truro, NS (1979-1982); Halifax NS (1982-1985); Brockville, Ontario (1986-1991); Terrace, BC (1991-1993); Contract Marker in Terrace, BC (1994-2006). He enjoyed retirement with his wife in Oliver, BC from 2006 until they moved to Thunder Bay in 2020.
He leaves behind his wife Carol and their five children: Kathy (Eric), Robert (Alissa), Rhonda (Steve), Nathan (Leila), and Jeremy (Ella). He is also survived by sixteen grandchildren: Kathy (Joshua, Raven and Jenny), Robert (Emma, Ruth and Jude), Rhonda (Cameron, Graham and Maddie), Nathan (Theosha-Rae, Gorham, Rodney, Chester and Moira) and Jeremy (Jaxon and AJ).
Rodney was predeceased by his parents William Allen Freeman and Catherine Pearl Freeman; also by his sister Gloria and brother Billy. He is survived by eight siblings: Elizabeth (Walter), Pearl (Bruce), Grace (Alfred), Lois (Darrell), Wesley (Joy), Cindy (Jerry), Rocky (Gina) as well as Daniel (Amy) and sister-in-law Carol whose husband Billy passed away in 2023.
A celebration of life will take place on Tuesday August 11th at 2 pm at Bethlehem Christian Reform Church located at 75 Walkover St., Thunder Bay Ontario. Steve Bill-Rod’s son-in-law-will officiate the service as pastor. Refreshments will follow afterward. A link will be provided to watch the service online.
In lieu of flowers; Rod would appreciate donations made to Grassroots Church in Thunder Bay for their accessibility services for their new building.
Condolences may be shared through www. nwfainc. com
