John S. "Jack" Friel

Jack was my counsler at Camp Akiba when I was 15 (1956) and then my supervisior when I was a counsler at the age of 20. He was a wonderful person and a huge inspiration in my life. My condolenses to his family, I feel a great loss after 50 years so I can only imagine how you must feel. All of us from our Camp Akiba days loved Jack.

Our condolences to the Jack Friel family. We will miss Jack's warm smile and quick jokes, his love for good people, family values, basketball and of course, we'll miss his big hugs. He made our visits to the Blue Bell Inn memorable. We'll probably still say, "Hey, where's Jack"? when we visit the Inn...then have a toast to his remembrance. He will truly be missed.

Mr. Friel
Rest in peace from a kid who probably never would have graduated from North had it not been for your understanding. I hae thought about you many times over the years, and the many visits my parents and I shared in your office. Deepest condolences to your family, we've lost a great one.

My condolences to the family he will be sadly missed.

WHAT A GUY JACK FRIEL I LIVED IN FLORIDA FOR TWENTY YEARS,AND ONE NIGHT I STOPPED IN THE BLUE BELL AND JACK CAME UP TO THE BAR AND SAID HI MURPH LIKE I WAS THERE YESTERDAY, I WILL NEVER FORGET THAT OR JACK.REST IN PEACE. JIM MURPHY CLASS OF 51 NCHS. BARTENDER BROAD AXE TAVERN 1972-77

My Dad, Bill Mellon and Mr. Friel worked together at Blue Bell Inn. I had the wonderful experience of knowing Mr. Friel since I was a little girl and would visit my Dad at work. He was always so nice to my Mom, my sisters and brother and I. It was very hard for me to go back to Blue Bell after my Dad passed away. However when I finally did Mr. Friel made it so much easier. Recently I took my two daughters to see where their Grandpop worked. Unfortunately, they never met my Dad. They did...

WHAT A GUY! YOU WILL BE MISSED BY ALL YOU TOUCHED,I LIVED IN FLORIDA FOR TWENTY YEARS AND WALKED INTO THE BLUE BELL ONE NIGHT,AND YOU CAME UP TO THE BAR AND SAID HI MURPH LIKE I WAS THERE YESTERDAY.I WILL NEVER FORGET THAT, OR YOU. JIM MURPHY POMPANO BCH. FL. CLASS OF 51 NCHS. BARTENDER BROAD AXE TAVERN, 1972-77

Coach was an inspiration.He gave me an opportunity to be part of the North Catholic Basketball family. I was the least talented of the Shouldis' brothers. I was more of a cheerleader than a field general on the Coach's Championship Team. Today, I can no longer be on the sidelines. I am the field commander for the City of Philadelphia's Fire Department. Coach taught me how to deal with young men and woman. He was fair and firm. He was friendly, but never a pushover. He had a nice way to say...

Jack - always a gentleman with unquestionable values. The Blue Bell won't be the same wihout him. We'll miss him tremendously.