John Philip Friberg III

obituary

John Philip Friberg III, 65, died on July 28, 2020, after a long courageous battle with cancer.

John was born January 14, 1955 to John and Mildred (Butler) Friberg. After his father passed at a young age, John and his sister Karen were raised by Mildred in Weymouth, MA, where John excelled on the football field for Weymouth North High School and earned the nickname “Freight Train.” He graduated from Stonehill College with an accounting degree, and often returned to his alma mater to photograph basketball and football games. John worked as a financial analyst for State Street Bank and BNY Mellon.

John raised his two children, Jay and Alison, with his wife Chris in North Reading, where he enjoyed coaching many of their youth sports teams. For John, family always came first, as demonstrated by his selfless nature and boundless love for his wife and children. He put the needs and wants of others before his own, and lit up any room he walked into with his positive energy and contagious smile. John’s warm, compassionate, and light-hearted soul touched the lives of so many, including his entire family, countless friends, and the Weymouth, Stonehill, and North Reading communities.

John was a gifted sports and nature photographer. He was recently inducted into the North Reading Sports Hall of Fame for his commitment to community service, having dedicated over fifteen years to photographing Hornet student-athletes. His donated photos were featured in the North Reading Transcript and the hallways of the high school. Each year, John devoted his spare time to taking photographs at high school sporting events, proms, and graduations, and then editing and gifting them to the North Reading families in his community (Oh, those famous “discs”). Every fall, he enjoyed a New England foliage photography trip, and every summer he visited The Belgrade Lakes in Maine to fish and spend time with family and friends. John saw beauty all around him – whether it was an early morning sunrise or the joy of a graduating senior – and used his talent to capture it in photographs.

John is survived by his wife of 33 years, Chris (Testa) Friberg; his mother, Mildred Friberg; his daughter and son-in-law, Alison Friberg and Boris Bourget; his son and daughter-in-law Jay and Chelsea Friberg; his sister and brother-in-law, Karen and Warren Phillips; his niece Kristin Phillips; his nephew Jeff Phillips and family; and his mother-in-law Marilyn Testa. John will be missed dearly, but his impact on others will live on forever.

A gathering in celebration of John’s life will be held at a later date to be determined. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in John’s name may be made to Multiple Myeloma Research Fund, MGH Development Office, 125 Nashua St. Suite 540, Boston MA 02114 or Caring for a Cure at www.caringforacure.org. Arrangements are by the Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street, North Reading. www.croswellfuneralhome.com

43 thoughts on “John Philip Friberg III”

  1. So sorry to hear this. John was a great guy. My condolences to his family and friends. I don’t think I ever saw him without a smile on his face the years I coached against him many years ago

  2. John will be forever missed. Tim and I send our deepest sympathies Chris. We are here for you anytime. What a beautiful write up and picture of John.

  3. So sorry to hear this and deepest condolences to Chris, Alison, Jay and family and especially to his mom. He was the nicest man and so giving! He will be missed.

  4. So sorry to hear this and deepest condolences to Chris, Alison, Jay and family and especially to his mom. He was the nicest man and so giving! He will be missed.

  7. Chris,
    I am so sorry for your loss and also for your children and mother-in-law. As you know, John also photographed the Relay for Life annual event here in North Reading. John provided a disc and also some framed photos for me and my daughter, Tracy, in the year my wife, Jessica, was remembered. His photos still hang in our house. John will be missed.
    My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
    Andy Graham

  8. So sorry for your loss. A beautiful tribute to a life well loved. My condolences to Jay and the Friberg family.

  9. So sorry to hear of this tremendous loss for your family. John was one of the kindest people I’ve ever met. He documented so many memorable moments in my children’s lives and for that I will be forever thankful. I will keep you all in my thoughts and prayers .

  10. I am so sorry to learn of Mr. Friberg’s passing. A wonderfully positive family man, rightly proud of his two children, and huge supporter of the student-athletes of North Reading High School. RIP, my friend, and my deepest condolences to Chris, Ali, and Jay.

  11. Dear Jay,
    I’m so sorry to hear about your loss. Your dad was certainly an amazing person- he will be sorely missed by all. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.
    Peace
    Rob Leonard

  12. Oh we are so saddened to hear this news. John was a wonderful man and his smile definitely lit up the room or the sports field that he was taking pictures on. Sometimes during 2013-2016 track meets, he and I would spot each other from across the track both taking photos and smile and/or wave. He gave me great photography pointers and advice. I always enjoyed our conversations and will sorely miss them and him. Our sincerest condolences to the family from ours. – Heidi, Gary, Kyle, Jackson, and Allie Hastings

  13. I met John at NRUCC and later on the sidelines at NRHS. His son, no doubt inspired by his dad, coached my son’s youth basketball team with a caring expertise. John was quiet and reflective in my engagements with him. We talked about sun angles and which side of the field was best to shoot from. I respected him as a photographer, a father, and a christian. May he rest in peace.

  14. Dear Jay, I am very saddened for you at the loss of your father. He sounds like he was a wonderful person and I am sure your loss and your family’s loss is unbearable. Please accept my deepest condolences. Kindest regards. Emer

  15. Hugs and prayers to you, Chris, Jay, and Alison.

    John was an amazing soul who gave back to our community as no other. All the sports pictures and discs he gave to everyone were so selfless.

    Our memories are timeless

    Peace to all

    Paul, Anne, Dan, Kristen, Lynne Giddings

    1. Dear Chris & Family,
      Ginny and I were saddened to hear of John’s way-too-early passing. The picture & story of him says it all. He was a kind and generous man with a wonderful smile. I hope you can take a tiny bit of solace in the fact that we used one of his pictures for our Christmas card last year! He took a wonderful photo of our family at Jon Spurr’s wedding! Our prayers & thoughts are with you and your family.

      Ginny & John

  17. The North Reading High School Hornets have lost a dear friend in Mr. Friberg. His warm smile and unwavering support for our school community will be so very missed. His steady hand and keen eye have given us many great memories which serve as testament to his commitment to our students.
    Our deepest sympathies to his family.

  18. My deepest sympathies to John’s family. I knew John from Weymouth North H.S. and Stonehill. I dated his best friend Joe, and the three of us had great adventures together. He had such an infectious laugh, his kindness and constant smile still live in my memories. He saw the best in every person he met. He was a beautiful person, wonderful friend, and a shining light in our world, it was truly an honor to know him.

  19. John was my friend. We both graduated together and played football together. We had much in common as both our dads died young and we took care of our mothers as they took care of us. I am also an avid nature lover and photographer and enjoyed his posts. Whenever we did see each other it was like a day had not gone by. I will miss him as he was a genuine human. Love to his mom and family.
    Bob aiello

  20. Jay-
    I am so sorry for your loss. This is a beautiful tribute to your father. He clearly was an amazing person. My thoughts are with you and your family during this time.

    Lara

  21. John Friberg touched so many lives including mine. What was written here captured him. I will remember that smile that lit up the room when he walked in. A kind, warm soul. I will miss him and he will forever be etched in my heart. So sorry for your tremendous loss. ❤️

  22. I’m so saddened to hear of John’s passing! My condolences to Chris, Jay , Allie and the entire family. He added so much to this community. Especially in the lives of our girls with framed sports pictures / CD’s and other events of graduations and especially being a mentor to our daughter for confirmation. Always a happy go lucky guy. RIP! Anne Lee

  23. Jay,

    I’m so sorry to hear of the passing of your father. It sounds like he was a caring and loving man who gave generously to all that he crossed. My condolences to you and your family.

    Joh McGeehan

  24. My sincere sympathies to John’s wife Chris, children Aly and Jay, his mom Millie and sister Karen. John was an absolute pleasure to know from our days at WNHS and beyond. He will be sorely missed! Sending you all love and strength as you face the days ahead. Rest easy, Fri ❤️
    ~Hel

  25. So sad to hear of John’s passing. I grew up we John and the neighborhood gang on Lorraine Street. I was so looking forward to seeing him again at the next reunion. I will miss his beautiful photographs he would post. Very talented and good person. My heart goes out to his family.

  26. We were so sad to hear this news. We have so many memories of John – lots of side line soccer games over the years. I will always remember his laugh. He really was a great guy! Thinking of you Chris.

  27. Chris, Jay and Ali,
    We are so sorry for your loss. We remember John fondly, always with a smile, very giving and just a nice guy. Our prayers are with you all.
    David and Tracey Lord

  28. Dear Jay and Chelsea,
    After reading your dad’s beautiful obituary, I can see how full of life he was. I’m sure his love of community was only second to his love for his family. Once again, the old saying, “Like father like son,” applies to you,Jay.
    Fondly,
    Linda Pickering

  29. John always had a smile on his face. What a terrific guy that will be truly missed. Love, prayers and sympathy to Chris, Ali and Jay.

  30. I went to Stonehill with John. I remember him as a kind, happy guy who always had a smile on his face and willingness to share a laugh. Deepest sympathies to his family.

  31. So very very sad to read this devastating news! My deepest sympathy goes out to John’s family! I grew up with John and his sister, Karen and although I have not seen them in years, they are both special people you never forget. I am so sorry, Karen! Hugs and prayers to your mom and your family!! My thoughts are with you all!

  32. What a beautiful tribute to read about a very good man. He was a classmate at WNHS and always had a smile. My sincerest condolences to his family and friends.

  33. RIP John! My condolences to his family. New Johnfrom Lorraine St and WNHS. Never forgot those summers playing monopoly in basement of John’s house with sister Karen when we were kids!

  34. I was very sad to hear this news. Thank you John for capturing so many memorable moments for so many kids and parents in NR. You will be missed. Thoughts and prayers to John’s family.

  35. On behalf of the North Reading High School Girls’ Lacrosse program, we share our deepest condolences to the Friberg family. John selflessly captured so many special moments for our student-athletes; moments that they will remember for a very long time. Our thoughts and prayers go out to John’s family.

  36. Chris and family., just heard about John. So sorry for your loss. Jim and Sue Sinnott.

  37. Chris, Jay and Alison… Sully and I are so sorry to hear about John’s passing. We have such fond memories of you guys when we all lived in N. Attleboro and our visits during the years when our kids were young. We remember John as quiet, kind and a real gentleman.Please know you are all in our thoughts and prayers.

  38. Chris, Jay and Alison,
    Sully and I are so sorry to hear of John’s passing. We have such fond memories of seeing you guys when the kids were young and also when we all lived in North Attleboro. John was such a kind and friendly person and a real gentleman. Please know you are in our thoughts and prayers. Deirdre and Sully.

  39. So sad to hear this news. John always had a smile on his face and was so kind and thoughtful. He was such a giving man and we truly appreciated everything he did for our family over the years.

    Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time.
    The Coppola Family

  40. We’re so sad to hear the heartbreaking news. John, you were such a classy, soft spoken, funny, guy. And such a gentleman, always. I loved when you bounced into the office with the latest photos of the kids that adorn the walls at NRHS. Rest In Peace, my friend. You will be missed.
    Eric & Robyn Forman

  41. Dear Chris, Alison and Jay,

    It was with sadness that I read of John’s passing. He was always so kind and a gentleman whenever our paths crossed. I hope you can take some solace from the outpouring of wonderful words and thoughts that people have to say about your dear husband and father.

    With Sympathy,
    Lisa Pulver

  42. Chris, Jay and Alison, thinking of you during such a difficult time. Sending thoughts, prayers and hugs your way. I’m so very sorry for your loss.

Comments are closed.