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William Friel Obituary
Sanford, FL: William Doyle Friel, known to his loving family and many friends as Bill, died at his Sanford, FL, home on Saturday, Nov. 17. He was 65.
Predeceased by his parents, Daniel and Mary Friel, and his brother, John "Jack" Friel, Bill is survived by his devoted wife, Nadine Virginia Friel; three loving children from a previous marriage (to Mary Patrice Redmond), Jennifer Moore (Joseph), William Friel (Kelly), and Brigid Sboto (Thomas); and six grandchildren-William Flynn, Liam, Thomas, Owen, Julian, and Daniel - who will miss their Grampy very much.
Born Dec. 2, 1941, in Rochester, Bill was a graduate of Brighton High School and attended the University of Miami (Kappa Sigma). As a young man, Bill was an aspiring rock-and-roll musician who recorded several singles for local record labels, and his love for music would continue throughout his entire life. Later, Bill made a mark as an entrepreneur wherever he lived, establishing popular local nightclubs and restaurants with his brother and operating as a real estate developer.
Bill held a lifelong love for the game of golf. But above all, Bill loved to laugh and make others laugh, whether he was on the phone with family, among friends at a good party, or walking the East Course at Oak Hill, where he was a member for 40 years. And laughing will be how we remember him.
Please join us for services at 11:00 am on Saturday, Dec. 1, at St. Joseph's in Penfield.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for William Friel
Jeff LeBaron
January 15, 2008
I was surprised and saddened when I recently heard about Billy's passing. I managed the Rochester V.I. from 1973 to 1976, and I could not have had two better employers then Bill and Jack. I have great memories of that time because of Bill and Jack...Bill was a wonderful charismatic and loyal guy. I know he will be greatly missed by his family, and those of us who were lucky enough to have known him.
Jeff Allen
December 2, 2007
We are so sorry for the loss of a great friend. Bill was the first person I met when I moved to Brighton in 1956. We became instant friends and that lasted all of these years. We had the opportunity to travel to many places together over the years and those times I treasure. Both Bill and Jack treated me like a brother and I miss them both. His love for his children,grandchildren, friends and family were expressed to me often. Every Christmas we would get together here in Florida and Rehash our incredible but real stories about growing up together. My family loved him and also express their condolences. I will always smile when I think about Billy who was one of a kind. I was able to go to Sanford to say goodbye but could not make it to Rochester.
Bobbie Kirsch
November 27, 2007
Nadine,
Please know that our thoughts and prayers are with you and your enitre family at this difficult time! I think that we all have the same wonderful memories of Bill, always laughing and cracking jokes to make others laugh too. He will never be forgotten!
Ronnie Board
November 27, 2007
So saddened to hear about Bill. We shared a lot of laughs and good times togather from riding cycles to dinners to parties. He always kept everyone laughing. My memories will always be fond, god bless you and Bill's family.
Ronnie Board
Ronnie's Suburban Inn 1965 - 1986
Antonia Gerli
November 26, 2007
Dear Nadine,
I am so sorry to hear of Bill's death. I want to express my heartfelt sympathy to you and your family. Bill was always a friendly and cheerful face on Lily Court and we will all miss him there very much. Please let me know if there is anything I can do for you while you are in New York or when you get back to Sanford.
You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Sincerely,
Antonia Gerli
2001 Lily Court
Sanford, FL
Barbara Whte
November 25, 2007
I am so very sorry to hear of Billy's passing. He was a very close and special friend when we were young. He was in my wedding and I was in his. We shared many good times and although I have many wonderful memories I will miss him. My thoughts and prayers are with all of his family and friends.
Barbi (Neumer) White
Dawn and Gary Boucher
November 25, 2007
Nadine,we are so sorry for your loss. We express our deepest symapthy. Please let us know if there is anything we can help you with.Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family
Adrienne&Charles DiMeno
November 25, 2007
We were sadden and surprise by the news of Bills death. WE send our prayers and sincere sympathy to the entire family. He will be impossible to forget.
The Dimeno's
Scott Murray
November 25, 2007
please accept my heartfeld condolences on the passing of Billy... I am so sorry for your loss... both he and his brother, Jack, were great friends and mentors in my life when I was just a teenager... they both had a tremendous impact on me and what I eventually ended up doing.... I first met Billy the very first night he and Jack opened the Varsity Inn in Rochester... I was 18-years old and a student at the University of Rochester... Billy would hire me as a bartender... later I would be the DJ at all the clubs... then became VP and general manager at the VI's in Rochester, Atlanta and Albany...
Although it was a tough decision, I left Bill and Jack in 1976 to pursue a career in television... I have been in Dallas as the sports anchor for NBC ever since, until I retired a couple of years ago... but, I have often thought that none of that would have been possible without the Friel's, both Billy and Jack.... and, the most important thing of all is that the Varsity Inn in Rochester is where I met my wife... Billy and Jack were both at our wedding... we just celebrated our 35th anniversary last month...
I have shared more than was probably necessary... But, often times we don't realize what an impact a loved one can have on others we've never met.... please know that Billy was one of those people for me and we'll always remember him with great fondness.
Carole and Scott Murray
Tom and Lu O'Donaghue
November 25, 2007
Billy Friel had a rare and precious "lust for life" that made him a delightful friend. This and his loyalty to those lucky enough to be his friend will ensure that grand stories about Billy Friel will linger a long time. Our condolences to Nadine and to all Bill's family.
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