By COLlive reporter
The sudden passing of Freddy Hager at his home in London on Thursday, at the age of 62, has shocked many in the Lubavitch community in London and around the world.
His funeral on Friday was attended by hundreds of people who know him from his businesses and communal work, among them Britain’s Chief Rabbi, Sir Jonathan Sacks.
At 3:30 PM the procession left his home at 44 Middleway and passed by the Lubavitch Yeshiva and Beis Medrash Kingsley Way, where Hager was the Gabbai for almost 40 years.
The Rosh Yeshiva Rabbi Yitzchok Meir Hertz, visibly shaken, delivered a brief eulogy before proceeding to the Enfield Cemetery.
COLlive.com has learned that the London Diamond Bourse, the foremost UK diamond trading floor of which Hager was the President, was closed on Friday in his honor.
As deputy treasurer general of The World Federation of Diamond Bourses (WFDB), Hager’s passing was reported on diamond and jewelry trade websites.
“The loss of Freddy is immense for so many of us,” said Avi Paz, president of the WFDB. “He was a friend, a mentor, a visionary and a person who worked tirelessly behind the scenes for the WFDB, his bourse’s own members, his community, and of course for his family.
“He was a gentleman who was always absolutely frank and straight-forward. Our hearts go out to his wife Louise, his children and grandchildren,” Paz said.
Hager was a founder member of the World Diamond Council and is considered the spiritual father of the federation’s better business symbol, the WFDB Mark, one report said.
SHIVA TIMES
Mrs. Louise Hager, their children Nemi Pinson of Crown Heights, Mechel Hager of London, Sara Diament of Montreal and Sholom Hager of London are sitting Shiva at 44 Middleway, NW11 6SG until Thursday.
Shachris 8:45 am
Mincha 7:00 pm
Maariv 8:45 pm
The family can be reached on +44-20-8455-3505 or by email at [email protected]
המקום ינחם אתכם בתוך שאר אבלי ציון וירושלים
May Hashem give each one of you the strength to cope with your immense loss. And in time, may many blessed and wonderful memories of Freddy zL (who was not only a true gentleman but also a friend to so many of us) help to ease the pain and the void. Words really are of no good the way we all feel right now, Mym
growing up in the Kingsley Way shul we always looked up to ‘Uncle Freddy’ in an amazing way. He wasnt just a Gabbai he was the key member and ‘do’er’ of kingsley way. just an example – every week upon walking into shul at around 9:55 we would see Uncle Freddy taking out the seforim for davvening and he would always encourage us to help out with a pinch of the cheek and a “come on, we all need the siddurim and chumashim’ lets do it together”. and even as a little boy if Mr. Hager found out it was… Read more »
Words cannot express my deep sorrow on your and your family’s loss. You always spoke so highly of your dear father and with such pride about all he did. You always displayed such Kibbud Av for your father (and Mother Tzu Lange yoren) .
May you be comforted and know that even though we are half way around the world, we are thinking of you!
love your old friend from OC days, Shternie
Sydney ,Australia
Hamokom yenacheim eschem besoich shaarei avlei tzion viyerusholayim!! Hashem shall help you all get through this difficult time. Wishing you only simchas in the future!
Motty and Chani Drizin (Schlanger)
Hamokom yenachem. no words
We were very saddened by the sudden news of Bella”s Zaidy! Your father sounded like a true Mentsh with an amazing character…… Hamokom Yenacheim Eschem Besoich Shaarei Evlei Tzion Veyerushalyim! Morah Freida
Hamokom Yenachem Eschem Besoich Aveili Zion Veyerushalim.
For the littlle time I got to know him, he was a true friend and likeable person. May you know of Simchas from hereon in.
To Sara & the Hager family:
So very sorry to hear of your tragic loss. May the wonderful memories of your father give you the strength to carry on during this difficult time. Our hearts are with you.
Sonny & Linda Rosenblum
Montreal