Timothy John Freeburger, who managed the old Vilma bar on Belair Road and later became a floral delivery assistant manager, died of cancer April 27 at his Towson home. He was 63.
Born in Baltimore, he was the son of Harry Freeburger and his wife Catherine Morrow.
Raised on Ridgecroft Road and on Burke Avenue in Towson, he was a 1970 graduate of Calvert Hall College High School.
While in high school, he was a Baltimore Orioles groundskeeper working at Memorial Stadium, and he also had a job at Towson Billiards on York Road.
He received a business degree at Towson University.
Mr. Freeburger worked for a time as a Hallmark card salesman who set up displays in retail outlets.
In 1973 he joined his father at his bar, The Vilma, a tavern across Belair Road from the Vilma Theater. He father owned the bar — which was also known as The Dugout — for many years.
"He did the job out of loyalty and dedication to his parents," said his wife, Linda Sume Freeburger, a teacher's assistant in special education at Towson High School. "He went to work at the bar and he did it for 27 years. He had one drink, maybe once a year."
After Mr. Freeburger closed the Vilma bar in 2000, he joined Radebaugh Florists as the company's assistant delivery manager. He retired in 2015.
"Tim was an amazing person. He took to the job immediately. He was my right arm," said Mark Shipley, Radebaugh's delivery manager. "He was a good friend to everyone who worked here."
Mr. Freeburger collected coins and followed thoroughbred racing. He watched the sport on television and attended races at Pimlico.
He also enjoyed spending his free time with his grandchildren.
A celebration of life will be held 1 p.m. June 12 at 69 Burke Avenue in Towson.
In addition to his wife of 34 years, survivors include a son, Timothy John Freeburger Jr. of Parkville; a daughter, Angela Freeburger Drozd of Stewartstown, Pa.; a brother, Richard Freeburger of Pasadena; three sisters, Carol Mercer of Lineboro, Kathleen Gutverlet of Baldwin and June Duffy of Towson; and four grandchildren.
— Jacques Kelly