Michael Harry Friend

Michael Harry Friend, 83, passed away July 13, 2026.

Michael was born on August 7, 1942, in Boston, Massachusetts, to Jenette LeMieux and Robert C. Friend. Both parents predeceased him.

He is survived by his wife, Patricia, of their home. He also leaves behind eight children: Michael Friend (Karen), Mark Friend (Carmen), Valjean Aguilar, Kathleen Rojas (Francis), Karen Jordan (John), Vincent Perona (Loretta), Anthony Perona (Beth), and Matthew Perona (Anna) as well as 46 grandchildren and more than 70 great-grandchildren. Though a blended family, Michael embraced and loved all the children as his own. He is also survived by his sisters Jean Crouch (Joe), Patricia Kersey (Michael), Helen Gaspari Reagan, and his brother Porter Friend.

Life with Michael was always exciting. He was unafraid to try any occupation to support his large family.

After high school, Michael went to college and then joined the Navy, where he became a signalman aboard the destroyer, USS Walke, during the Vietnam War. After an honorable discharge, he went to cosmetology school while working as an automobile mechanic.

In 1974, Michael married the love of his life, Patricia, and they joined their children together and became a family.

During their marriage, Michael worked as an insurance salesman and a commercial milk truck driver. In 1984, Patricia suffered a near-fatal accident, and he decided to find employment where they would always be together. Michael was an excellent house parent with Patricia at Boys Town of Missouri, and toward the end of his career there he was hired as an instructor.

Since the age of seven, Michael enjoyed buying, selling, trading, and swapping. This lifelong passion led to a deep interest in antiques and collectibles.

He was the best storyteller and joke teller, often using his life experiences, whether they were true or not, to captivate and entertain his audience. He loved to travel around the world with Patricia. He was always learning (including flight school with a friend in the 1990s), an avid reader, and a lover of music—so much so that he bought each family member a stringed instrument and they played together in nursing homes.

Michael intentionally created hobby farms in California and Missouri to have a foundation for teaching his children a strong work ethic. His heart's desire was to rear his children to become good people and productive citizens who contributed to society. He felt that learning, music, work, faith, peace, loyalty, and loving each other were the standards he longed to instill. He died very proud of his children.

In 1984, when Patricia suffered her accident, Michael's early Catholic formation came to the forefront and his faith in God began growing again. Together they walked in their Catholic faith for the remainder of their lives.

Patricia's favorite memory of their later years was hearing Michael bellow, "Are you ready to pray?" She would come sit beside him as they prayed the rosary together.

Michael was a larger-than-life character, and he leaves a void in our hearts.

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on August 7, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in St. James, Missouri. Interment will immediately follow at St. James Catholic Cemetery.