John Heller Freund, 93, of Pound Ridge, served on numerous boards

John Heller Freund

John Heller Freund died at his home in Pound Ridge on Sept. 4. He was 93. 

He was born in New York City to Dr. Meyer H. and Ruth (Heller) Freund, and grew up between Manhattan and Amawalk. He attended Horace Mann School and Dartmouth College pursuing a business degree at the Tuck School of Business before joining the U.S. Army, where he rose to first lieutenant. 

Freund started a six-decades-long career at what would become Trinity Packaging Corporation, spearheading its growth and eventually becoming owner and chairman. He was considered an industry leader and mentor to countless colleagues. 

He is survived by his wife, Susan (Watkins), his children, Elizabeth French, Anthony Freund, Emily McFadden, Tamlyn Nathanson and Peter Freund; 14 grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. 

A longtime resident of Pound Ridge and Captiva Island, Fla., Freund was philanthropic and community-minded, serving over the years on the boards of the Pound Ridge Library, Rippowam Cisqua School, King Low-Heywood Thomas School and John Jay Homestead. He also served on the Pound Ridge Board of Ethics and was one of the founding members of the Pound Ridge Tennis Club. He was an avid supporter of Caramoor, Northern Westchester Hospital, and the Wolf Conservation Center. 

Freund loved his family and friends, the New York Yankees (of which he was a partner), his alma maters, American history, gardening, tennis, Nantucket, his dogs and chocolate, not necessarily in that order. 

He was predeceased by his parents and his brother, Andrew. 

A private service will be held for family members.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that people consider a donation to Caramoor at caramoor.org or Big Arts Sanibel at bigarts.org.