The US legal and maritime communities are mourning the loss this week of George Freehill, who died at age 85 at his home in Jupiter, Florida.
Freehill founded the maritime law firm Freehill, Hogan & Mahar in 1952.
A major name in US shipping law, the firm continues its practice in maritime and other areas from offices in New York, Connecticut and New Jersey.
Freehill was a Fordham man, having graduated from Fordham Preparatory School and Fordham University as an undergraduate and Fordham Law.
Freehill's expertise included charter contract disputes, cargo loss and damage claims and cruise line performance guarantees, according to the law firm's website.
"The firm quickly became his second family, and he loved going to work every day. George lived by the pillars of his life: family, friends, and faith," according to an obituary provided by the family.
"George had an unshakeable sense of optimism and a voracious appetite for life. He made every person he interacted with feel like the most important person in the room."
He was also an avid golfer credited with eight "hole-in-ones" over the years.
A native of the Bronx, Freehill was preceded in death by Barbara, his wife of 58 years.
The couple had lived in New York before relocating to Florida in retirement. According to an obituary, the two had met in March 1949 during a St Patrick's Day dance in the Bronx.
He is survived by four daughters and 10 grandchildren, who called him "Porgie".
"RIP George Freehill, a true gentleman and legend of the New York Maritime and international P&I communities," Justships director Jeff O'Neill, who was North P&I's finance director until 2017, said in a LinkedIn post. "A privilege to have known you, sir."
Eric Martin contributed to this story.
