Friel

Joseph V. Friel, 85, of Butler passed away Thursday.

Joe was born in Renfrew, Scotland, on Nov. 24, 1926, a son of William and Bridget Cavanaugh Friel, and was raised in Philadelphia.

During World War II, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy, serving as a radioman in the Pacific Theater. After the war, he enrolled at LaSalle College, where he received a B.A. in chemistry.

He was a research chemist at the U.S. National Laboratory in Oak Ridge, Tenn., for one year before relocating to the Pittsburgh area, where he received a master's degree in chemistry from Duquesne University in 1955.

Joe retired from the Mine Safety Appliances Research Corp. in Callery after 36 years as a research chemist.

In retirement, he enjoyed painting, reading and writing, especially on the topic of religion. He was a member of St. Peter Roman Catholic Church in Butler.

Surviving are his wife of 49 years, Margaret Green Friel, who he married May 11, 1963; six sons and their spouses, Steve and Heidi Friel of Butler, Jake and Donna Friel of Renfrew, David Friel of Butler, Joseph and Marcie Friel of Karns City, Matthew and Jennifer Friel of Butler and Woodie Beatrice of Butler; and 13 grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by two brothers, Stephen and William Friel.

FRIEL — There will not be a visitation for Joseph V. Friel, who died Thursday, July 19, 2012.Family and friends are invited to attend a Mass of Christian burial at 10 a.m. Thursday at St. Peter Roman Catholic Church, 127 Franklin St., Butler. Inurnment will take place later at Calvary Mausoleum.Cremation services were provided by Geibel Funeral Home, 201 E. Cunningham St., Butler.In lieu of flowers, Mr. Friel would like everyone to pass along a good deed in his memory.