Obituary of William H. Briggs

Mr. William H. "Bill" Briggs, 80, of Goodrich Avenue, Fort Plain, NY died peacefully Wednesday, February 16, 2011 at the Wells House in Johnstown, NY. He lived his last three months at the Wells House following a 2 year battle with dementia. Born in Gloversville, NY on March 6, 1930 he was the son of the late LeRoy and Dorothy Smith Briggs. A lifelong area resident, Bill graduated from Hudson Falls High School in 1947. It was in that same year that he joined the insurance field, which would span a career of 42 years. Following graduation, at the age of 17 he went to work for the Glens Falls Insurance Co. as an underwriter until 1964. Later in that same year he relocated to Fort Plain where he joined the Harvey Agency as office manager and partner. Upon, expansion of the company, Bill became President in 1971 of the newly formed, Harvey Triumpho Insurance Agency until his retirement in 1989. During his retirement, Bill and his wife Carolyn enjoyed their family, friends and 16 winters in Venice, FL. During the Korean Conflict, he served briefly with the United States Navy from 1951 until 1953. Bill was an active community contributor his entire life. He served as Past Master of the Fort Plain Lodge #433 F&AM and was Past District Deputy Grand Master of the Fulton- Montgomery District. He was Past President of the Fort Plain Rotary Club and Past President of the Fort Plain Community Club. He was Sunday School Superintendent of the United Methodist Church in Fort Plain from 1964 until 1987 where he was a longtime member and Lay Pastor. Bill was also a member of the Mohawk Valley VFW Post #3275, and American Legion Post #554 and was a charter member of the BPOE #2621. Some of Bill's favorite pastimes were bowling, golfing and sports in general. He was an avid NY Yankee and NY Giants fan which he brought to his entire family. He was a dedicated Fort Plain Hilltopper fan for 47 years. He supported all the Topper Teams with great enthusiasm. He enjoyed all of his children and grandchildren's athletic events and activities. Survivors include his wife of nearly 62 years, the former Carolyn Chase, whom he married on November 19, 1949; his children, Sharon Fredericks and her husband Jack of Naples, NY, David Briggs and his wife Lynn and Jeffrey Briggs and his wife Katie, both of Fort Plain, NY; seven grandchildren, Jonathan Fredericks and his wife Katie, Toria Briggs, Olivia Fredericks, Anderson Briggs, Kiernan Briggs, Hannah Briggs and Zachary Briggs; one great grandson, Jacob Fredericks; a sister in law, Natalie Bill Bazinet of Glens Falls, NY; one brother in law, Walter Bly of Hudson Falls, NY; and several nieces, nephews and cousins. He was predeceased by his parents and four sisters, Ruth Gregoire, Nancy Briggs, Dorothy Bly and Betty Aiken. Funeral services will be conducted on Friday, February 25, 2011 at 6 o'clock at the Fort Plain Reformed Church, Canal Street, Fort Plain, NY with Pastor Nancy Ryan, presiding. Interment will take place at a later date in the Glens Falls Cemetery with military honors. Relatives and friends are invited and may call prior to the service Friday, beginning at 4 o'clock. The Fort Plain Lodge #433 F&AM will gather at 5:30p.m. for their departed brother. In place of flowers, donations may be made in Bill's memory to Little Falls Hospital Development Fund, 140 Burwell Street, Little Falls, NY 13365, Wells Nursing Home Activities Fund, 201 West Madison Avenue, Johnstown, NY 12095 or to Fort Plain Baseball, c/o Craig Phillips, 1 Henry Street, Fort Plain, NY 13339. Arrangements have been entrusted to Lenz & Betz Funeral Home, 69 Otsego Street, Canajoharie, NY 13317.