S.E.W.. Friel, Jr.

S.E.W. Friel, Jr., lumber and canning executive, died suddenly on Sunday, July 16, 2000, at Queenstown, MD. Samuel Edward Whiting Friel, Jr., was born in Queenstown on January 13, 1909, the son of the late Martha W. D. Reynolds and Samuel Edward Whiting Friel. Mr. Friel married Margery Kengla Holland of Montgomery County, MD and Washington, DC, on July 15, 1941, at St. John’s Catholic Church, Forest Glen, MD. Mr. Friel was a partner and CEO of the Friel Lumber Company and S.E.W. Friel Canning Company, which were founded in 1904. He was also Chairman of the Board and director of Queenstown Wholesale Supply Company and Chairman of the Board of King Foods, Inc. During World War II, the S.E.W. Friel Firm received and “A” Award from the government in 1944 for outstanding services in providing food for the armed services. From 1945 to 1947, he was a member of the Prison Reform Commission. He was a member of the Mid-Atlantic Canners Association, formerly Tri-State Packers Association, serving as a Director in 1945-54; Chairman of Legislative Committee 1956-58; and President 1951-52. He was also a director of National Canners Association from 1942-46; 1953-56; and 1968-71; and a member of the Legislative Committee since 1956. He was a member of the National Food Processors Association and a Diamond Pin member of the Old Guard Society. He was formerly a director, Vice President then President, of Queen Anne’s County Free Library and Chairman of the Building Committee for the present library building. Formerly, he was Director and President of Queen Anne’s County Farmers Cooperative Association. He was also a former chairman of the Board of Commissioners of Queenstown and a former director and Vice President of Maryland Manufacturers Association. He was a charter member, former President and then director, of Tidewater Chamber of Commerce. He also formerly served as chairman of the Board of Zoning Appeal of Queen Anne’s Co. and was a member of the Advisory Board of the Economic Development Commission of MD. He also served on the board of Associated Industries of Maryland. He was formerly a member of the Maryland State Planning Commission and a director of Maryland State Chamber of Commerce. He was also a former member of The General Assembly Compensation Commission (MD). He was a charter member of the Queenstown Lions Club, former Secretary and then served as President. He was a charter member and former director of Queen Anne’s County Historical Society. He was formerly a member of Mile River Yacht Club; former member of the Board of Governors of Corsica River Yacht Club; member of Kent Island Yacht Club; and a member of the Bishop’s Committee of the Laity Diocese of Wilmington, Del. In addition to his wife, Mr. Friel is survived by a brother, Daniel D. Friel of Greenville, DE; a number of nieces and nephews, Harriet A. Sisk, Minneapolis, MN, Harvey E. Sisk, Jr., of St. Cloud, MN, Mary Eileen Sisk of St. Cloud, MN, James G. Sisk, St. Cloud, MN, Patricia Reynolds Friel of Chadds Ford, PA, Barbara June Friel, Denver, CO, Daniel D. Friel, Kennett Square, PA, Mary Friel Huber, Allendale, NJ, James R. Friel, Jr., Centreville; and Pamela Friel Bernard, Queenstown, MD. He was predeceased by brothers, James R. Friel, Sr., and lbert B. Friel. Harry Daniel Friel died at age six; and sister, Emily Friel Owens, in 1992. A mass of Christian Burial will be offered at St. Peter’s Catholic Church, Queenstown, at 11 a.m. on Friday, July 21, 2000. Friends may call 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Fellows, Helfenbein, and Newnam Funeral Home, 408 South Liberty Street, Centreville, MD, on Thursday, July 20, 2000. Memorial donations may be made to St. Peter’s Cemetery Trust Fund Queenstown, MD, C/O of Harry C. Rhodes, P.O. Box 167, Queenstown, MD 21658.