John Anthony Friel, 78, of Chesapeake Beach, MD passed away May 11, 2014 at his residence. He was born July 29, 1935 in Kearny, New Jersey to John Francis and Anna (White) Friel. He was raised in New Jersey and attended public schools. John and his wife Patricia were married on January 9, 1960 and have resided in Chesapeake Beach for the last 17 years. He joined the United States Air Force in 1961, retiring in 1986. John graduated from Stevens Institute of Technology in Hoboken, New Jersey. He later attended the University of Southern California earning a Masters of Business Administration as well as The Ohio State University earning a Doctorate of Philosophy. John later attended the National WAR College in Washington, D.C. He was employed as a senior operations researcher for the RAND Corporation, retiring in 2006. In his leisure time, John enjoyed playing on the computer and creating spreadsheets.

John is survived by his wife of 54 years, Patricia Ann Friel, a son John A. Friel and wife Lisa of Meridian, Idaho; grandchildren Tyler Davis and wife Brittany and Trevor Davis and wife Stephanie of Boise, Idaho, and a great-grandson Bennett Davis. Also surviving are numerous cousins.