Robert F. Briggs Sr.

Robert “Bob” Briggs, Sr., 92, of Lunenburg Vt passed peacefully on October 11, 2024, at North Country Center in Lancaster, NH after a period of declining health. Both his wife Pat and Son Gary were at his bedside just hours before his passing.

Bob was born on June 28, 1933, in East Concord, Vermont…one of 3 children born to Ralph and Annie Perkins Briggs. His brother’s Dale and Bud predeceased him. Bob enjoyed his time in East Concord but at an early age he joined the Vermont National Guard in St. Johnsbury and subsequently enlisted in the Army in 1949. Bob was initially deployed to Germany and reenlisted for a term during the Korean War.

Bob met the love of his life, Patricia Colby, in the late 1940s and they were married on April 10, 1950. during a furlough leave. After Bob’s overseas service and life on a military base in Maryland, Bob and Pat returned to Lunenburg in 1954 where they built the home on S. Lunenburg Road that Bob lived in until 2 weeks before his death. Bob and Pat celebrated their 74th wedding anniversary on April 10, 2024.

Bob’s well lived life included stock car and snowmobile racing, decades of hunting and fishing (sometimes as an alleged outlaw!). He was at home in the woods, on a stream or on a lake. Bob owned his own construction business for many years, building and restoring homes in the Northeast Kingdom. He was employed by Winterset Construction in the 1980s, supervising the construction of many of the bridges on I91 in Vermont. In the 1970s, Pat introduced Bob to the world of antiques and the couple opened a shop in their 2-car garage, which is still open today. While Bob didn’t acquire Pat’s understanding and appreciation of antiques, he reveled in the idea of buying something for $10 and selling it for $12! His son Gary remembers Bob bringing home a pickup truck load of shoes because it was a “good deal” and peddling them door-to-door throughout the North Country… selling them all! Another venture included buying a truck load of turkeys, slaughtering them with the Merrill neighbors and yes…selling every one of them. Bob loved adventures, endeavors and candy!

Bob was a staunch supporter of diversity and gay rights. His simple roots as an E. Concord country boy serve as an example of the ability for anyone to understand and accept differences. Bob and Pat loved attending Gay Pride in Boston with their son Gary.

Bob will be remembered for his lust for life; his unwavering support of his two sons, Gary and Bobby; his many legal and illegal escapades; his devotion to his wife Pat; and his ability to navigate 92 years of life that included ups and downs while never compromising the values he held true: Family, Friends, Neighborhood, good candy, hunting and fishing and the joy of turning a profit!

Bob is survived by his wife Pat and son Gary. His son Bobby predeceased him in 2021. He’s also survived by his grandchildren Rob Briggs and his wife Kristen of Littleton, NH, Kim Briggs Augeri and her husband John of Walden, VT and Kalyn Briggs (Bellevance) and her husband Randy of Danville, VT; 3 great grandchildren, Caleb and Gracie Villareal and Karson Bellevance and many other close family members and friends.

To celebrate Bob’s well-lived life, a drive-by memorial at 108 S. Lunenburg Road, Lunenburg will be held on Sunday, October 27th at 2pm. Those wishing to participate should arrive at the Lunenburg Elementary School parking lot, 49 Bobbin Mill Road, no later than 1:45 pm. Further details will be available in the Caledonian or by emailing gbriggs@auntsadiesinc.com . A private family and friends’ burial at Riverside Cemetery in Lunenburg will occur at a later date. Pat and Gary request donations in memory of Bob be directed to the Alden Balch Memorial Library, 24 E. Main Street, Lunenburg, VT. 05906 or the Lunenburg Volunteer Fire Department, 291 W. Main Street, Lunenburg, VT. 05906

Arrangements are entrusted to Bailey Funeral Home, Lancaster NH. For more information or to send an online condolence, please go to www.baileyfh.net .