Dennis Eugene Friel, 62, of Whitefield, died on April 29 at his home after a recent illness and hip surgery.
He was born on Jan. 30, 1949 in Portland, a son of Karl Clark and Arlene Mary (Foley) Friel. He attended schools in Scarborough, Topsfield, Princeton, and graduated from Lee Academy in Lee. In his senior year, he and his team won the State of Maine weightlifting championships. He worked for Guy Friels and Sons, a family owned lumber business in Smyrna Mills. He worked for Blue Rock Construction, Sea Coast Ocean Services and auto sales and repair.
He has written several books and published one in 1982, “The Wheat and the Thorns.” That same year he and his family went to Israel.
He enjoyed spending time with his family, friends, and his pet Jack, an African gray parrot.
A few of his many interest are reading the Bible, weightlifting, riding his Harley, playing chess, boating, fishing, and splitting wood. He spent a lot of time studying Constitutional law, which brought about many court actions, and fighting for his rights and those of others.
Surviving are his mother, Arlene Mary (Foley) Friel; wife of 40 years, Charlotte (Baiguy) Friel; sons and daughters, Donna Johnson of China, Samson Friel of Waterville, Jennifer Friel of Hollis, I am Friel of Whitefield, Elijah Friel of Rockland, Rachel Friel of Augusta and Rebekah Friel of Whitefield; brother, Patrick Friel of Stewart, Fla.; sisters, Maureen Friel of Cary, Kathy Perez of Missouri and Peggy Robinson of Houlton; grandchildren, oldest to youngest, Emily, Jeremy, Samson, Thomas, Daniel, Jared, Joshua, Natalie, Adam and Matthew; and great-grandchild, Aiden.
On April 30th, there was a private family burial. All was done according to Denny’s wishes.
In honor of his memory there will be a memorial 3 p.m., Sun., May 8 at his home.
Denny lived his life to the fullest.
