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John S. "Jack" Friel

John Friel Obituary

FRIEL
JOHN S. "JACK", suddenly on July 14, 2006 of Horsham PA. General Manager of the Blue Bell Inn. Beloved husband of Helen F. (nee Smith) Friel and devoted father of John S. (Kate), III, Andrew C. (Lori) and Kristin Friel Loving grandfather of 4. Relatives and friends are invited to call Thursday, 6 to 8 P.M., at ANTON B. URBAN FUNERAL HOME, 1111 S. Bethlehem Pike, Ambler PA, and Friday, 10 to 10:45 A.M., at St. Catherine of Siena Church, 321 Witmer Road, Horsham PA. Funeral Mass 11 A.M. Interment Private. Remembrances in his name to the Montgomery Co. S.P.C.A., 19 W. Ridge Pk., Conshohocken PA 19428 or Shriner's Hospital for Children 3551 N. Broad St., Phila. PA 19140, would be appreciated.

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Published by Philadelphia Inquirer/Philadelphia Daily News from Jul. 18 to Jul. 19, 2006.

Memories and Condolences
for John Friel

30 Entries

Art Axelrod

July 25, 2006

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.

Pam & Carl Zimmermann

July 24, 2006

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.

Mike Dougherty

July 24, 2006

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.

Joe Demuro Capt. of the 1968 Falcons

July 23, 2006

My condolences to the family he will be sadly missed.

JIM MURPHY

July 21, 2006

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

Nicole (Mellon) Breeze

July 21, 2006

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 have the pleasure of meeting Mr. Friel. I can hope that Mr. Frield will tell my Dad abour his grandaughters. While there, Mr. Friel gave me one of my Dad's jackets that he used to wear behind the bar. What a nice gesture that I will treasure forever. I know that my Dad will have a friend with him now. Thank you for sharing Mr. Friel with our family.

Warmest regards, Nicole (Nikki) Mellon.

JIM MURPHY

July 21, 2006

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

William Shouldis

July 21, 2006

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 NO. These are lifelong lessons. Coach's heart may have given out, but he will always be in the hearts/memories of the students (especially those in JUG)/players & fans of NC "Round Ball". Friel Fan Forever. Bill Shouldis

Ken & Carolyn McKinney

July 21, 2006

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

Dennis W HILL

July 21, 2006

COACH:

Thanks for your leadership and direction that you gave to all of us. Till we meet again.

The Falcon never dies.

Dennis W HILL

Joe Schoen

July 20, 2006

Coach Friel,

From a former Falcon Rest in Peace.

Nancy Guess

July 20, 2006

A true family man and friend, who will be greatly missed by all those you have touched.

You are the "BLUE BELL INN" and always will be!

Jack, thanks for the wonderful memories.

Nancy, Billy, Nick and Dana Guess

Ed Eberwine

July 20, 2006

Jack was my Latin teacher at North in 1959, we stumbled across one another in the late 80's at the Blue Bell Inn. He will be missed.

Ed Prigge

July 19, 2006

It was an honor to know Mr. Friel. He was a great teacher, coach and mentor to many North Catholic grads. Thank you Mr. Friel for all the fine lessons you taught us.

Eddie Prigge, class of 1965

Janet Jones

July 19, 2006

I am so sorry. Jack was a "one of a kind" special guy. I have so many great memories of him and his family. They go way back and are forever a part of my life. My deepest sympathy to the entire family. He is in God's hands.

John Reilly

July 19, 2006

My condolences to the Friel Family. He was a great Latin teacher and a teacher of life. After 45 years I still remember my Latin endings because of you Mr. Friel although I haven't used them in that same amount of time. NECHS '62

ron zawacki sr

July 19, 2006

I would like to extend my most sincere condolences to the family, friends, and players of Jack Friel.

I have known Coach since my days at Father Judge. Playing for him, as well as, against his North Catholic teams was an opportunity and a pleasure. The high standards he set for his students and players, both on and off the court surely examplified the true leader and great coach he was. Whenever I visited the Blue Bell he would always greet me with a smile and a story with his charming personality. It has certainly been an honor to have been included in his circle of friends. Jack will be greatly missed.

Sincerely,

Ron Zawacki

Neshaminy HS

J D

July 19, 2006

I am sure Jack touched many lives during his time at the Blue Bell Inn . The tremendous impact he had on young adults as a coach should also not be overlooked ... He molded many lives at North Catholic …..Rest in Peace Coach......... JD, NJ.

John Kurtz

July 19, 2006

Jack was a great neighbor who I and my family will miss tremendously. I looked forward to our chats as he and Duffy strolled the neighborhood. My deepest sympathies and condolences to Helen and all of the family.I'm very proud to have known your husband and father. God be with you all.

Mike Drelling

July 18, 2006

Jack was a great man, full of integrity and humor. He made working at the Inn even more enjoyable.

Trish Rae Dietzen

July 18, 2006

Uncle Jack you will be missed so dearly. Barbara Ann is waiting for you though the only comfort I have. You personified a zest for life and will try to always remember that fact. I love you,Trish

Scott Dougherty

July 18, 2006

My sincere condolences to Jack's Family, as well as his family at the Blue Bell Inn. Jack was an incredible man who has touched so many lives. I will fondly remember Jack in many ways. What i admired most about Jack was how he commanded respect from everyone he came into contact with. He had a powerful yet calming presence at all times, and rarely lost his cool.

We'll miss ya Jack

Ginny Wakefield

July 18, 2006

My thoughts and prayers are with all of you. Jack was one of a kind. I will never forget his honesty, fairness and great sense of humor. He is a large part of my memories of Blue Bell Inn.

Leanne & Bob Rich

July 18, 2006

With Jack’s passing, we lost a friend and a father figure as well as a genuinely phenomenal person; but neither of us would trade one minute of the heartache we feel today with missing the opportunity to know Jack. Our love and deepest sympathies go out to the Friel family and all of Jack’s friends. We’ll miss you so very much...

Meg Hughes

July 18, 2006

Jack's passing is a loss to all of us. Sincere sympathy to his beloved family.

Meg and Jim Hughes

Chris Holtz

July 18, 2006

"Hey Holtzie got a nail"

I will miss ya Coach,

Christopher Sniscak

July 18, 2006

Jack's passing is heartbreaking to all who know him. My prayers & love go out to the Friel family.

Joe Matecki

July 18, 2006

I just wanted to extend to the Friel Family my sincerest condolences. Jack was a great guy and a legend at the Blue Bell Inn. In fact, He was really the face at the door always there to greet you. He was a fabulous master of the game of basketball always sharing his insights, which usually were correct. He was at times a bit of a pisser too with his jokes, some of which I still tell years later. Jack was tough, firm, and fair. We'll miss you Jack.

Rose Santos

July 18, 2006

My thoughts and prayers are with all of you at this time. God Bless

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