REVEREND JOHN F. FRIEL

Reverend John Francis Friel passed away on September 11, 2024, at the age of 82. Fr. John was born on March 8, 1942, to parents John Francis Friel, Sr. and Catherine Violet O'Brien, and grew up with sister Betty Ann. Fr. John was born and raised in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He pursued undergraduate studies at West Chester State College, then at Niagara University, where he completed a Bachelor of Arts in History and a minor in Philosophy. Fr. John later obtained a Master's Degree in Management from Webster University, and a Certificate of Advanced Professional Studies from the Pacific School of Religion in Berkeley, California. Prior to attending Seminary, Fr. John once worked as a short order cook and sandwich maker at a luncheonette in Philadelphia, as an elevator operator at a Philadelphia hotel, and was employed as a teacher in Pennsylvania, where he previously taught geometry and history to high school students.

Fr. John studied for the priesthood and attended Seminary at De Sales Hall School of Theology in Hyattsville, Maryland, and was ordained to the Order of the Oblates of St. Francis de Sales in Holy Innocents Church, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on September 12, 1970. His passing occurred just one day shy of the 54th anniversary of his ordination to the priesthood.

Following his ordination, Fr. John completed training at the U.S. Naval Academy in the North Atlantic in 1971, became a squadron chaplain, and served in active duty as a Lieutenant in the Navy Corps. The following year, in 1972, Fr. John served as a circuit riding chaplain in Vietnam. Fr. John continued serving as chaplain with the Navy throughout the subsequent years, including on the Destroyer Squadron II, at Barber Point NAS, and at numerous Navy bases. Beginning in 1993, Fr. John served four years as a Senior Chaplain at the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, and an additional two years as Senior Chaplain at the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterrey, California.

On September 20, 1974, Fr. John moved to Yuma, Arizona where he initially served as a chaplain at MCAS Yuma for the Arizona Marines. Fr. John served the Navy with distinction, having received a number of awards and decorations, including: the Legend of Merit (awarded three times); the Meritorious Service Medal (awarded twice); the Navy Commendation Medal; the Meritorious Unit Commendation (awarded twice); the Navy "E" Ribbon; the National Defense Service Medal (two stars); the Vietnam Service Medal, and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal. Fr. John retired from service in the Navy in 1999, with the rank of Captain.

Despite his retirement from the Navy, Fr. John was still not done serving. In 1998, he had become president of Yuma Catholic High School, and in 2004 he was appointed as Pastor of St. John Neumann Parish in Yuma, Arizona. Fr. John was incardinated into the Diocese of Tucson on August 25, 2004. Throughout his years in the Diocese of Tucson, Fr. John served as a member on the Council of Priests, and the St. John Neumann Parish community. He retired from active ministry on May 25, 2019. Fr. John once held a private pilot's license (single engine), which he obtained in 1976, he enjoyed playing golf, and maintained a great love of reading. He was a dedicated, faithful servant of God, with a great love for his family, friends, and his parishioners. He is preceded in death by his parents, John and Catherine, and sister Betty Ann. He is survived by the extended Watson Family, Friends across the world too numerous to count, and his Rizas Family.

Visitation and Recitation of the Holy Rosary for Fr. Friel will be celebrated on Thursday, September 26, 2024, at 10:00 AM follow by 11:00 AM Mass of Christian Burial at St. John Neumann Catholic Church, 11545 E 40th St, Yuma, AZ 85367.

Interment Service will be held on Friday, September 27, 2024 at 10:00 AM at St. John Neumann Columbarium.

Eternal rest grant unto Fr. John, O Lord, and let your perpetual light shine upon him. May his soul and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.