Freeman Botnick

It is with great sadness that the family of Freeman P. Botnick, MD announces his passing. Freeman, also known affectionately as “Dr. B” and “Free” was a well-respected and adored Ophthalmologist who served as the Chief of Ophthalmology at Mercy Hospital in Springfield, MA for many years. Free was also the Director of the Low Vision Clinic at Mercy Hospital. Those of us who knew him well know of the exemplary and caring concern that he always exhibited for his patients. Always putting his patients first, Dr. B often worked long hours and seven days a week; whatever it took to make sure his patients received the care they needed. If he had to go back in time to do it all again, he would not change a thing; patient care and dignity being his primary focus in life. Freeman was predeceased by his parents, Emanuel and Sadie (Goldberg) Botnick and his brother Martin Botnick of St. Augustine, Florida. Freeman leaves a loving wife of 57 years, Audrey DuBrow Botnick, as well as a devoted daughter, Sheryl D. Belanger, both of Londonderry, NH.

Freeman was born on August 8, 1941, to Emanuel Botnick and Sadie Goldberg Botnick in Norwich, CT. As a young boy, he played Little League baseball and became a lifelong Red Sox fan, even when living amongst Yankee fans. Freeman often felt as though he could manage the team better than the managers.

Freeman attended the Norwich Free Academy (“NFA”). He has remained an avid supporter of NFA all these years. Upon graduation from NFA, Freeman attended Dartmouth College in Hanover, NH and was a member of the Class of 1963. His senior year, he conducted extensive research in eye hand coordination as a Senior Fellow. Little did he know at the time that this interest would lead him to become an Ophthalmologist.

Freeman attended Albert Einstein College of Medicine in Bronx, New York and was a member of the Class of 1967. While at Einstein, he continued his research with a heavy emphasis on neuro-ophthalmology. He was President of his Class his senior year. Upon graduation from medical school, Free began a rotating internship at Rhode Island Hospital in Providence, RI. After completion of his internship, Free was recruited by the Public Health Service (“PHS”) and stationed in Lexington, KY during the Vietnam war. He worked long shifts helping to withdraw drug dependent individuals at a PHS run hospital east of the Mississippi River.

Upon leaving the PHS, Freeman began his residency in Ophthalmology at NYU-Bellevue Hospital in New York City. After completing his residency program, Freeman, along with Audrey and Sheryl settled in Longmeadow, MA where they resided for many years while Freeman practiced Ophthalmology. Most notably, for decades, Freeman had his own practice, Eye Sight & Surgery Associates, PC in Springfield, MA. Freeman treated patients ranging from infants to the elderly. He was noted for his patience, kindness and perfectionism. He was willing to see any patient who had a problem, regardless of their situation. If they had a need for care, Dr. B was always there.

Many patients quickly became friends, and truly like family to Dr. B and Audrey. There was always a seat at the table for patients who became friends and loved to stop by to visit well into Free’s retirement years. He avidly continued to read his Ophthalmology journals and enjoyed staying up to date with cutting edge changes in the field.

After retirement, Freeman and Audrey moved from Longmeadow, MA to New London, NH where they made several special lifetime friends and entertained new and old friends alike. In recent years, Freeman and Audrey lived in Londonderry, NH and were starting to build lasting relationships there as well up to Freeman’s recent illness.

Donations in Dr. B’s memory can be made to the Jack Byrne Center for Palliative & Hospice Care, located on the Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center main campus, as well as to the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and The Jimmy Fund, or the charity of your choice.

A funeral service will be held on Tuesday, August 27, 2024, at Ascher-Zimmerman Funeral Home, 44 Sumner Avenue, Springfield, MA at 11am. A graveside burial service will follow at Longmeadow Cemetery, 34 Williams Street, Longmeadow, MA, immediately thereafter. Attendees are welcome to join us at Figaro Restorante in Enfield, CT at 1pm.

Memorial Week will be observed by the family at 31 Harvest Moon Road, Londonderry, NH. We would welcome all friends and family of Dr. B to attend. Please call Audrey at 413-348-4108, or Sheryl at 802-356-4309 for more information.