Gordon D. Briggs

Gordon D. Briggs Athol - Gordon Donald Briggs, 89, of 996 Pleasant Street, died Saturday, July 23, 2011 at the Quabbin Valley Healthcare surrounded by his loving family.      Gordon was born in Athol, Massachusetts, March 27, 1922, the younger son of Leslie W. and Elsie (MacPherson) Briggs.  He attended local schools and graduated from Athol High School in 1939.  After graduation he worked at the former Union Twist Drill Company and was one of the original members of the Athol-Orange Aero Club where he spent many hours flying in the local area.      In September of 1942 he enlisted in the Army Air Corps and went through the Aviation Cadet training program, receiving his wings in April of 1944.  He was assigned to the 9th Air Force in Europe as a P-47 Fighter Pilot where he flew 52 missions as a member of the 386th Fighter Squadron of the 365th Fighter Group named the “Hell Hawks”.  He returned to his home in September of 1945.        On November 3, 1945 he married the former Pauline Bishop in Skinner Memorial Chapel of the 2nd Congregational Church in Holyoke.  Shortly after Gordon went to work for the National Cash Register Company where he repaired cash registers and other types of business machines all over Worcester and Worcester County for 27 years.  In 1963 he moved his family back to the Briggs Homestead in Athol to help care for his mother and aunt after the death of his father.  In 1972 he went to work at the L.S. Starrett Company in Athol and became a buyer until his retirement in 1985.        Along with his wife Polly he became active in town affairs.  He was a former member and chairman of the Town of Athol Finance Board.  He served 15 years on the Athol Royalston Regional School Committee, twice serving as chairman.  He was on the Building Committee which planned and oversaw the new middle school on Pleasant Street and was the key note speaker at the dedication ceremony.      Gordon was a lifelong member of the Athol Congregational Church, serving on several boards and committees.  He was Chairman of the Building Committee for the addition of the new office space and handicap lift.  He and Polly were church historians for many years.  He loved to sing and was a choir member as well as singing in many choruses in town.  He also sang for several years with the “Singing Men”.  Gordon was very active in the Athol Memorial Hospital Auxiliary, serving as Vice President and assisting Polly in the many activities and fund raisers to help the hospital.  He was an active member of the Athol Historical Society, was a Town Meeting Representative for 30 years and also worked as a Clerk and Warden in several precincts for all elections.  He was an active member of the Edward H. Phillips American Legion Post #102.  He enjoyed writing poems and his poem “Remember the Veterans” which was published, was read by him and others at many Memorial Day and Veteran’s Day exercises.  He served the town as a Registrar of Voters.  Gordon and his wife Polly were the first volunteers to receive the Margaret Grazis Award by the Town of Athol.         In 2005 he was honored to be made a Paul Harris Fellow by Rotary International.  He was a member of the Mount Grace Chapter of AARP and was president for two years.  He was a member of the Town Committee which planned for the visit of the Duke of Atholl and his men to Athol in 2000.  Gordon was a former President of the Athol High School Alumni Association and a member of the AHS Scholarship Association and the Awards Committee.  He planned and was Master of Ceremonies at the reunions of the AHS class of 1939 for many years and the class named him honorary president at their 55th reunion.      Before his retirement Gordon and his family enjoyed many trips all over the country and to Nova Scotia with their travel trailer.  He and Polly faithfully attended band concerts in Orange and Petersham in the summer.       Gordon was a caring person and he constantly tried to help others whenever and wherever he could.  He loved his family and enjoyed his home.  He enjoyed doing word games and crossword puzzles and spent many hours on his computer enjoying receiving e-mails.  He and Polly attended many church suppers in local churches and enjoyed a large circle of friends.  One of his sayings was that if you want to have friends you have to be one.          His wife of 65 years, Pauline E. (Bishop) Briggs died May 15, 2011. He leaves a son, Stephen Briggs and his wife Mary; a daughter Cynthia Jack and her husband Raymond; two grandsons, Eric Jack and his wife Melinda and Peter Jack all of Athol. He also leaves, two step grandsons, Mark Mosely and his wife Sherry and Tim Cucchi; three great grandchildren, Corey, Aiden and Kendyl Jack; five step great grandchildren, Issac, Alexis, Christa, Jade and Brianna and several nieces and nephews.  He was predeceased by a brother Raymond.       Funeral Services will be held Wednesday, July 27, 2011 at 11:00 A.M. at the Athol Congregational Church, 1225 Chestnut Street, Athol with the Rev. Dr. Beverly Prestwood-Taylor, interim pastor, officiating. Burial with military honors will follow at Highland Cemetery.  Calling hours will be held Tuesday, July 26, 2011 from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Higgins-O’Connor Funeral Home, 146 Main Street, Athol.  In lieu of flowers the family suggests donations to:  the Athol Memorial Hospital Auxiliary, 2033 Main Street, Athol 01331 or the Athol Congregational Church, 1225 Chestnut Street, Athol 01331 or the Athol High School Scholarship Association, P.O. Box 338, Athol, MA 01331.  For further information or to share a memory with the family go to: www.higginsoconnorfuneralhome.com. $(document).ready(function(){ });