Obituary of Patrick Friel
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PATRICK FRIEL, 89, of St. Pete Beach, Florida passed away March 10, 2009. He was born in Bellshill, Scotland, June 2, 1919. Mr. Friel came to the US in 1949, and lived in NJ until retiring to St. Pete Beach 20 years ago.
Mr. Friel is predeceased by his son, John Friel and his daughter, Moira Finnigan.
He was an avid golfer, pool player and artist. He loved to sing and was devoted to his church, St. John Vianney, Florida, family and his friends. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus, both in NJ and Florida and the NY Carpenters Union #608. Two of his many accomplishments and prideful moments were serving in the RAF during WWII and becoming a US citizen in 1986. He was also given the distinct honor of designing and constructing the pedestal for the New York Museum displaying the crypt of King Tut on his historical world tour.
He is survived by his loving wife of 35 years, Margaret Friel, also of St. Pete Beach. His daughter Patricia Friel of Butler, NJ, Step-Children, Charles Keppler of Chicago, daughter-in-law Dorothy Keppler of Beecher, IL, Kathleen von Sternberg and husband Jule of Denville, NJ, Stephen Keppler and wife Cindy of Rockville, MD, nephew James Friel and wife Sandra of Monifieth, Scotland. His fourteen grandchildren, Cindy Klenke, Christy Cox, Emily Keppler, Chip Keppler, Joseph Kneller, Denise Kneller, Michael Kneller, Steven, Sean and Frank Friel, Ben and Drew Keppler, Amy and Zachary von Sternberg. His nine great grandchildren, Matt, Josh, and Grace Klenke, Carson and Cohen Cox, Alyshia and Jon Luke Friel, Autumn and Siera Kneller.
Patrick’s funeral will be conducted from Norman Dean Home for Services 16 Righter Ave., Denville, NJ www.normandean.com, (please light a candle in memory of Patrick on web site), on Monday March 16th at 9:00 am for a 10:30am Mass of Christian Burial service at St. Cecelia’s Church Rockaway, NJ. Interment and committal services at Maryrest Cemetery, Mahwah, NJ. Relatives and friends will be received on Sunday March 15th from 2-5pm. In lieu of flowers, please have donations made to Sloan Kettering Cancer Research, NYC, NY.
