Robert Joseph Friel

Robert Joseph Friel passed away peacefully on March 17th, 2017 in Atlanta, GA. He was born on February 12th 1932 in Wilmington, DE to Francis and Mildred Friel. He graduated from Georgetown University with a Bachelor Degree in 1955 and earned a Masters Degree in Social work from Rutgers University in 1960. While stationed in Munich, Germany he graduated from the Army's Intelligence and German language schools and served as a Special Agent in the Counter Intelligence Corps. Upon relocating to Atlanta, GA in 1965 he began a 26 year career in Social Work at the Georgia Department of Family and Children Services where he was promoted to Director of Social Administration in 1967. During his tenure Mr. Friel promoted the establishment of a Food Stamp program in every Georgia county and initiated a new family planning program and social services volunteer program. In 1980 he played a key role in designing and establishing a statewide District Management System for the division of Family and Children Services. After retiring in 1991 he began a rewarding tenure teaching at Mercer University, Perimeter College and Oglethorpe University. Mr. Friel was preceded in death by his wife of 45 years, Barbara McGee Friel in 2010. He is survived by his daughter, Angela Friel of Atlanta, Ga and son, Brian Friel of Savannah, Ga. A funeral mass will be celebrated at 10:30 AM on Tuesday, March 28th at the Cathedral of Christ the King. Monsignor Frank McNamee, celebrant. Internment will be held at Georgia National Cemetery at 2PM. In lieu of flowers, the family request contributions be made in Robert's name to Senior Citizens Services of Metropolitan Atlanta.

Funeral Home:
A. S. Turner & Sons
2773 North Decatur Road
Decatur, GA
30033