Edward "Ed" Friel, Jr., passed away peacefully on Friday, January 4, 2019, surrounded by his five children and loved ones. He is now together again with his wife, Janice, the love of his life, who passed on October 4, 2009.
Ed was born at St. John's Hospital in Oxnard, California on February 17, 1927 to Clara and Edward Friel, Sr. and was the oldest of four children. He would have been 92 on his birthday, just a few short weeks away.
A life-long Ventura County resident, he attended Santa Clara Grammar School and graduated from Santa Clara High School in 1945. Upon his high school graduation, Ed enlisted in the US Coast Guard and served during WWII. Ed then spent two years at Ventura College and received an AA degree in 1948. After his service, Ed returned home and attended California Polytechnic College in San Dimas (now Cal Poly in Pomona). There, he was a kicker on the football team and received his certificate in citrus production.
Ed came back home to work on the family ranch, raising alfalfa and then branching off to own a citrus nursery. His career then shifted to citrus and avocado orchard management and managing the family properties. He was an avid fisherman, hunter, trap and skeet shooter and horseman.
On June 20, 1953, Ed married Janice Canady at Santa Clara Catholic Church in Oxnard, CA. Ed met Janice at the Oxnard Elks Lodge where she was the lodge Queen in 1952. They built a house on the family ranch where he lived until his last days. They raised 5 children and were involved in various activities with them ranging from swim lessons at KiHi pool in Somis, football games, cheerleading, fishing, wrestling matches, horse shows, and fun summers spent at the Reyes Creek Ranch with the Pfeiler family.
Ed competed for many years in the Hawaiian International Billfish Tournament in Kona, Hawaii. The team he was a member of, the San Rafael Billfish Club, became the first team in HIBT history to win with tagged and released fish (five blue marlin) only.
There are numerous organizations Ed sat on the Board or was a member of over the years, including: 68 years in the Oxnard Elks Lodge #1443, Oxnard Knights of Columbus, Ventura Pacific Co, Ventura County Sheriff's Posse Mounted Search and Rescue (and there were numerous missing persons searches Ed was a part of), Rancheros Adolfo, Rancheros Visitadores (Campo Adolfo), Ventura Cattleman's Association, Point Magu Game Preserve, Farm Bureau of Ventura County, Ocean View Water District, National Rifle Association, Ducks Unlimited, Amateur Trapshooting Association, American Legion and the Topa Topa Flywheelers. He recently had a favorite 1962 Ford 601 tractor restored and was looking forward to showing it off.
Ed was a very generous person and supported numerous agencies close to his heart. Some of those included were American Cancer Society, Oxnard Historic Farm Park, Museum of Ventura County- Agriculture Museum, St. John's Hospital, Special Olympics, US Olympic Shooting team, Ventura County 4H and the Ventura County Fair Junior Livestock Auction.
Edward is survived by his children, David; Diane Sandlin (George); Michael (Julie); Julie Eldridge (Glenn) and Jane Robison (Allen). Grandchildren, Ken Robison; Dan Robison (Erica); Victoria Friel; Jacqueline Eldridge Fredieu (Brian); Wesley Eldridge; Cory Cregut and Shaun Cregut (Kelsea). Ed was also very proud of his nine great-grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren. He also leaves behind his brother, Thomas; and sisters, Claire Carty and Patricia Seiber (John). Ed had a very special person in his life for many years, Josephina Cornejo, his "compadre" who was his caregiver as well as a close family friend. Thank you, Fina, for dedicating so much of your life to caring for Janice and Ed. And we can't forget Ed's faithful dog, Lily, who never left his side.
The family would like to extend their gratitude to the staff at St. John's Regional Medical Center, Livingston Memorial Visiting Nurse Association & Hospice and Camarillo Healthcare Center.
The Funeral Mass for Ed will be held at 10:00 A.M. on Thursday, January 10, 2019 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 10800 Henderson Rd, Ventura, CA 93004 with the interment to follow at Conejo Mountain Memorial Park, 2052 Howard Road, Camarillo, CA 93012.
Ed has been entrusted to the care of Conejo Mountain Funeral Home. Condolences may be left at www.ConejoMountain.com.
In lieu of flowers, please donate to your favorite charity to honor Ed.