Brian J. Briggs, 75 passed away peacefully on May 29, 2021, after a lengthy illness. He was born in Portland in 1945, from a Latvian immigrant mother, Mary Levey Briggs and a Maine native Arnold W. Briggs. He resided between Minnesota and summers in his native Maine, spending winters later in life in West Palm Beach, Fla. After graduating Deering High School, he attended University of Connecticut where and met and married his college sweetheart, Mary Louise Connell. He pursued advanced degrees at Northeastern University and Texas Tech University leading to his career as an accounting professor at Winona State University for more than 25 years.
While raising his daughter, Beth, he attended many dance recitals, high schools sports, and parades where his daughter performed. While briefly living in California, Brian enjoyed traveling the state parks, the San Francisco area, and the San Diego Zoo. Brian and his family starting spending summers after 1970 in Ogunquit and enjoyed time with friends and family at the beach along with special family dinners. Brian and Mary spent more than 15 years in West Palm Beach, Fla. surrounded by many new treasured friends, playing tennis, poker, dancing and dining.
Brian will be missed by his loving wife of 56 years, Mary; daughter, Beth Marie Briggs Gooding and Dr. Erik Gooding; grandchildren Emma Marie Gooding, Lily Lee Gooding, and Zoie Bethany Gooding; brothers-in-law, James Connell and wife Annie Connell, Robert Connell and wife Deb Connell, William Connell and wife Maryanne, and sister-in-law, Dr. Jeanne Connell and husband Dr. Joseph Mahoney; and many cousins; nieces, nephews; and friends. Many heartfelt thanks for the wonderful care and support of Rabbi Gary Berenson of Etz Chaim in Portland, and Rabbi Moshe Wilansky of Chabad. In lieu of flowers,donations may be made to: Dana FarberCancer Institute https://www.dana-farber.org/