Ralph E. Friel

Lt. Col. Ralph E. Friel, 82, of North Kingstown passed away July 3rd with family & loved ones at his side. Born in South Kingstown, RI, He was the son of the late Grace I. (McLaughlin) Friel and Augustus C. Friel Sr. Mr. Friel was a 1946 graduate of South Kingstown High School. After serving two years in the US Army’s 16th Sv Co. in Japan, he attended Bryant College where he earned a BS in Accounting in 1950. He then resumed his military career with the US Air Force in which he served more than 21 years as a pilot and instructor. He served in WWII, Korea, and Vietnam during his military career. After retiring from the Air Force he became a Senior Revenue Agent with the State of Rhode Island Division of Taxation for over 20 years. A kind soul, he loved golfing, gardening, and listening to music. He maintained a watchful eye over friends, family and neighbors, and he was always willing and prepared to help anyone in need. He leaves his beloved wife of 19 years Valerie A. (Merola) Friel, a daughter Ellen Eckstein (JC) of Palm Harbor Florida, a son Kurt Friel (Alissa Weaver) of Sutton, MA, grand children Keagan Friel , Luc Eckstein and Alysa Eckstein of Florida, a sister Eleanor Briggs of San Clemente, CA. ; mother-in-law, Mary Merola of North Kingstown; beloved friends Richard and Francine Petrone and family of North Kingstown. He was the brother of the late Augustus C. Friel Jr. of Wakefield and Howard W. Friel of Sutton, NH. The funeral will be held Thursday at 10:00 AM in the Avery-Storti Funeral Home, 88 Columbia St., Wakefield. Visiting hours Wednesday 5-8 PM. Burial with military honors will be in the RI Veterans Cemetery, Exeter. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Children’s Friend of RI, cfsri.org., 153 Summer St., Providence, RI 02903 or Animal Rescue League of Southern RI,arlsri.org, P.O. Box 458, Wakefield, RI 02880.