Donal James Friel QC of Royal Court, Riverview, age 84, passed away Saturday, March 27, 2004 at the Dr. Georges L. Dumont Hospital.
Born October 5, 1919 in Moncton, he was a son of the late James Friel KC and Maude (Wetmore) Friel. He obtained his B.A. from St. Francis Xavier University in 1942 and served as a Captain with the Canadian Artillery from 1942 to 1945. He obtained his law degree from Dalhousie University in 1948.
He began his legal career with his father and two older brothers in the Friel & Friel law firm. He was active in the Canadian Bar Association and NB Barristers Society and he became an Honorary Life Member of the Law Society of NB in 1998.
He served as a school board member, a member of the Parish Council of St. Bernard’s Church, and was a past president and life member of the Royal Canadian Legion, Branch No. 6, Moncton.
He is survived by daughters, Margery Taylor (Barry) of Mississauga, ON.; Julie McKenna (Frank) of Cap-Pelé; Priscilla Scott (Michael) of Orangeville, ON.; Aileen Petrie (Ross) of Belfast, PEI; sons, John Friel QC (Jeannette) of Moncton; Dr. Patrick Friel (Marilyn) of Yarmouth, NS; sister, Nancy Harquail of Moncton, 16 grandchildren, five great-grandchildren, several nieces and nephews. Predeceased by his wife, Marion (Creaghan); sisters, Marjorie Bourque, Louise Friel, Kathleen Meredith, Elizabeth Friel, Margaret (Peggy) Ormond; brothers, Henry Friel QC, Jack Friel QC.
Resting at Cadman’s Funeral Home, 114 Alma Street, Moncton, with visiting hours on Friday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 PM, parish prayers and sharing stories of Don will be held at the funeral home, Friday at 8:30 PM.
The Royal Canadian Legion, Branch No. 6 will be holding a memorial service at the funeral home on Friday at 6:45 PM. Mass will be held from the Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, Riverview on Saturday, April 3, 2004 at 11:00 AM, Fr. J. Doucette officiating. Burial will be held in the St-Thérèse D’Avila Cemetery. For those who desire, donations to the Dr. Georges L. Dumont Hospital Foundation would be appreciated.