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Michael Joseph Friello, talented cabinetmaker

August 27, 2018

Michael Joseph Friello, 91, of Bethany Beach, formerly of Camp Springs, Md., passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family Wednesday, Aug. 22, 2018, at his devoted niece and caregiver’s home in Ocean View.

Mike was born in Schenectady, N.Y., Dec. 25, 1926.  He proudly served his country in the U.S. Army during the Korean War.  Mike was an orphan and worked hard his whole entire life to support his family.  

Mr. Friello was a Golden Glove Boxer, and was well-known for his dancing abilities and appeared on American Bandstand.  Mike was a talented cabinetmaker, and was a model maker for the Smithsonian with 35 years of service before his retirement.  He was an avid bike rider and rode his bike 11 miles from his home to his work at the Smithsonian for eight years.  

Mike was also devoted to his Catholic faith and was a daily Mass attender at St. Ignatius Catholic Church in Oxon Hill, Md., when he lived in Maryland, and then at the Parish of St. Ann in Bethany Beach before his health began to fail.  He also volunteered his time for the Food Bank, CHEER Center and at the Chicken Shack for Mason Dixon VFW Post 7234 in Ocean View.  

Mike was preceded in death by his loving wife, Mary Ann Friello in 2009.  He is survived by a son, Tim Friello and his wife Dawn of West Union, W.Va.; a brother-in-law, Jim Houle of Churchton, Md.; five grandchildren, Colton Reidar Friello, Layla Rose Friello, James Houle, Allysin Houle and Micala Moreland; a special niece and caregiver, Joan Emrick and her husband, Mike of Ocean View; and several other nieces and nephews.  

A visitation will be held from 4 to 6 p.m., Tuesday, Sept. 4, at the Ocean View Chapel of Melson Funeral Services, 38040 Muddy Neck Road, Ocean View.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:30 a.m., Wednesday, Sept. 5, at St. Philip the Apostle Catholic Church, 5416 Henderson Way, Camp Springs, Md., where friends and family may call after 10:30 a.m.  Interment will follow at Resurrection Cemetery in Clinton, Md.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions in Mike’s name to the Chris Delinski Memorial Cancer Fund by visiting www.cdmcancerfund.webs.com

Online condolences may be sent by visiting www.melsonfuneralservices.com

 

  

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