Edward James Friel

1930 - 2010

Edward James Friel of Copperopolis
8/24/1930 - 10/13/2010


Edward James Friel of Copperopolis died in Roseville on October 13, 2010 at the age of 80. He was born in Los Angeles on August 24, 1930 to Michael Joseph and Ethel Harriet Friel. He was raised in Los Angeles and Van Nuys and moved to Mokelumne Hill with his Grandma and Grandpa Roberts for his senior year of high school, graduating from Calaveras Union High School in 1948. He hiked, hunted and fished the foothills. In 1950 he enlisted in the Navy and completed an electronics school there. His work as an electronic technician took him to Southern California, the Bay Area, Sacramento, Nevada, Colorado and he traveled on service calls to many states and foreign countries. He enjoyed bridge, chess and he was competitive in many athletic activities including running, bicycling and swimming.
He is survived by his wife, Marilyn Richardson and their son Daniel Friel of Copperopolis and Ed's five children, Diane Friel and Paula Friel of Grass Valley, Kathleen Hart and Edward Friel Jr. of Lincoln and Kellie Price of Granite Bay, his brother Michael Friel of Pocatello, Idaho and his sister Rosemary Friel of Ignacio, Colo. He has eight grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his brother Patrick Friel and his son Joseph Friel.
Ed chose to donate his body to UC Davis Medical School. There will be a celebration of life on Tuesday October 26 at 1 p.m. at Black Creek Park in Copperopolis. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to TCA, P.0. Box 881, Sonora CA 95370. This is a youth swimming program