Adam Fremantle of Water Mill died in London on October 30. He was 75.
The eldest of three sons, he was born March 18, 1934, in London to Anne-Marie Huth Jackson and Christopher Evelyn Fremantle, and writer and a painter respectively. His parents emigrated to New York City and became American citizens while he was still a small child.
He attended Eton College and Balliol College, both constituent colleges of the University of Oxford, in England. He always retained a particular affection towards the latter and often hosted young Balliol scholars in his home. He rode Head of the River in the Balliol boat and at Henley where he was a member of Leander.
Following national service with the British Army in Germany, where he was a crack shot representing his regiment, Mr. Fremantle was admitted to the bar in London. Subsequently he worked for the London advertising firm, Ogilvy and Mather.
In 1962, he moved back to the United States, where he married Christine Sapieha in 1963. A member of the New York Bar Association, after working for a time with Fiduciary Trust, he joined the New York law firm Coudert Brothers, where he later became a partner and worked until his retirement. During his time at Coudert, he lived in many places, including London, Hong Kong, Shanghai and Riyadh. For many years he was an active board member and integral part of the growth of the New York City-based Neighborhood Coalition for Shelter.
In his retirement he lived in Water Mill and traveled frequently between England and France, where he also owned properties. A man who enjoyed good company, survivors said, he often introduced people who later became fast friends. He was an avid reader, bridge player, puzzle solver and lover of music.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by two sons, Christopher Fremantle of Ayr, Scotland, and Paul Fremantle of Emsworth, England; two brothers, Hugh Dominic Fremantle of New York City and Richard Fremantle of Siena, Italy; and three grandchildren.
A funeral was held on November 9 at St. Mary’s Church in Battersea, London. A local memorial service will be announced in a future edition of The Press. In lieu of flowers, donations to The Smile Train, 28th Floor, 41, Madison Avenue, New York, New York 10010 would be appreciated by the family.
on Nov 11, 2009