of Newton and Chatham died July 28, 2007 in Burlington, MA at the Age of 84
Mr. O’Friel was born in Altoona, PA on Sept. 19, 1922, he was the son of the late Chester J. and B. Ruth (Ryder) O’Friel.
Beloved husband of Margaret W. (Walsh) O’Friel who were married on July 30 1997 at St. Ignatius Church Chestnut Hill MA and the late Jean F. (MacEachern) who died in 1961. Devoted father of Mary Sheila O’Friel and her husband Joseph W. Casey of Ashby, Paul C. O’Friel and his wife Marigrace of Manila Philippines Michael F. O’Friel and his wife Lee Ann of West Newbury and Mark L. O’Friel and his wife Yoko Murai of Scarsdale, NY and the late Michael G. O'Friel who died in 1959. Brother of Sister Sheila O’Friel , Daughters of Charity of Bayside, NY, Mark J. O’Friel of Rye NY and the late Rev. LaSalle O’Friel, OFM, Rev. Zachary O’Friel, OFM and Rev. Demetrius O’Friel, OFM. Loving grandfather of Justin, Jean, Michael, Karina, Kathryn, Paul, John, Michaela Lee, Caragh Lee, Brendan, Kenneth and Eugene.
Funeral from the Lehman & Reen Funeral Home 63 Chestnut Hill Ave.(Nr. Brighton Courthouse) BRIGHTON MA Wednesday August 1st at 9 am. Funeral Mass in St. Ignatius Church, Chestnut Hill at 10 am. Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend. Visiting Hrs. Tuesday July 31st from 2-4 & 6-8 PM.
Funeral Arrangements in Altoona, PA handled by the Jones Funeral Home 1222 13th Ave. Visiting Hours Friday August 3rd from 3-6 PM Funeral Mass in Our Lady Fatima Catholic Church Saturday August 4th TBA Interment St. Augustine Cemetery, St. Augustine PA.
Mr. O’Friel was a graduate of Altoona PA Catholic High School Class of 1939, awarded BA degree in 1946 from University of Pittsburgh and a JD degree in 1949 from University of Pittsburgh School of Law. He also attended St Francis College, Loreto, PA., University of Hawaii, Colgate, and Cornell. He also completed the MIT Sloan School of Management Program for Senior Executives in 1963. Mr. O’Friel was admitted to practice before the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania and the Courts of Allegheny County and the Supreme Court of the United States May 13, 1957, Supreme Judicial Court of Massachusetts Feb 15, 1961. He was admitted to Practice in US District Courts of Massachusetts, The US District Court of Western Pennsylvania and the Federal Communications Commission Bar.
Served in the US Navy as a Lieutenant J.G during WW2 in New Guinea and the Philippines. He commissioned as Ensign and served on Staff of Commander Service Force, US Pacific Fleet. Served in the F.B.I in Pittsburgh and Honolulu offices and as a Special Agent in Detroit and NY Field Divisions. Member of the Society of Former Special Agents of the F.B.I and member of the Boston Chapter. Longtime career in Broadcasting with DuMont Television Network, Director of Labor Relations and Personnel, Westinghouse Broadcasting Co., Group W, General Manager of KDKA Radio and TV, Pittsburgh and WBZ Radio Boston. Late Director of Corporate Public Affairs, The Gillette Co.
Mr. O'Friel was dedicated to service in the community. He served on numerous non-profit boards and was active until his death. In the Boston area, He was a member of the Board of Trustees MAB Community Services, Massachusetts Association for the Blind, Former President and member Board of Trustees and Finance Committee Salvation Army Advisory Board of Greater Boston, Former Chairman of the Board and Director Emeritus Youville Hospital and Rehab. Center. The O'Friel Professional Development Program at MAB was set up as mid-career training for professionals in that organization.
In the Pittsburgh area Mr. O’Friel was President of Big Brothers of Allegheny County, Trustee of Robert Morris College, member of Allegheny County Bar Association, Board of Advisors St. Francis College Loretto PA, Board of Directors of Pittsburgh Playhouse, active in Pittsburgh Press Old Newsboys Fund for Children’s Hospital, member of Human Relations Committee of Diocese of Pittsburgh, Serra Club of Pittsburgh, Freedom of Information Committee of Pennsylvania Association. Of Broadcasters, Advisory Committee for Broadcast Majors at Penn State University and Board of Pittsburgh Civic Light Opera.
Mr. O’Friel was a strong believer in the need to educate the public about the law and was also a pioneer in advocating television cameras in the courtroom.
Mr. O'Friel was a devote Catholic. He attended Mass daily from the time of his youth at St. Leo's Parish in Altoona and recently at St. Mary's Chapel at Boston College.
In Lieu of flowers donations in memory of Mr. O’Friel may be made to Salvation Army, 187 Columbus Ave. Boston, MA 02116 and the O’Friel Professional Development Program at MAB Community Services, 200 Ivy Street, Brookline MA 02446.