Friel

Father Lee Friel, O.F.M. Cap.

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Father Lee Friel, O.F.M. Cap., a longtime missioner to the Mariana Islands, died Feb. 4 at Guam Memorial Hospital in Barrigada, Guam. He was 77. He served in parishes in the Marianas from 1957 to 1998, most recently in Agana Heights, Guam, where he was assigned for 11 years. He returned to the United States in 1998 and entered St. Lawrence Infirmary in Beacon. In 2000 he returned to Guam, where he resided at St. Dominic's Home in Barrigada Heights until the time of his death. Born in Manhattan, he grew up in the Bronx and entered the Capuchin Franciscans' novitiate in 1948 and pronounced first vows in 1949. After studies for the priesthood at Mary Immaculate Friary in Garrison, he was ordained in 1956. He is survived by three sisters, Sister Mary Pius Friel, R.S.M., Sarah Friel Coppelli and Mary Friel; and a brother, James. A Funeral Mass was offered Feb. 12 at Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament Church in Agana Heights, with burial in Togcha Cemetery on Guam.

Father Lee Friel, O.F.M. Cap.