Albert Brien

Albert J. Brien passed away peacefully on November 3, 2025 at the age of 86.

He was born in Lawrence, MA on December 8, 1938. A little know fact is that his given name is actually Marie Joseph Albert Brien according to a French Catholic tradition of naming children born in December after the Virgin Mary. Other monikers were Al, Dad, and Grandpa Albert. His late parents, Alfred Philias Brien and Marie Rose Yvonne Brien, were from Canada.

The Brien family of twelve children lived in North Andover, MA. Later, Albert lived in Lawrence and Methuen, MA before settling in Kingston, NH where he served as a library trustee.

Albert was a true Renaissance man. He could speak Latin, English, Spanish, Portuguese, and also French. He studied Physics at Merrimack College, where he was president of his freshman class, and Tufts University. He was quite the entrepreneur and owned many businesses including but not limited to a swimming pool company, a chemical company, the Shawsheen Manor in Andover, MA, Flintlock Lodge in Franconia, NH, Kingston Stables, a horse blanket cleaning business, shavings business, and Arlington Park and Holly Street associates which are low-income and elderly housing projects, for which he received the Immigrant City Award.

In his spare time, Albert kept busy with various hobbies and activities over the years. He was a talented musician who was the director of a Gregorian Chant Choir while attending the seminary. Albert played the saxophone and fiddled with his violin in his group, the Fiddler's Loft. He also studied at Berklee College of Music. In addition, he loved to dance and spent time country line dancing, contradancing, and salsa dancing. He played tennis and racquetball and enjoyed skating, ice hockey, hiking, and skiing. He made the best maple syrup and grape jelly. In his later years, he established the Kingston NH Carriage & Sleigh museum. Traveling all over the world was also one of Albert's passions. He was also interested in aviation and flying, owned two planes, and earned an instrument rating as a pilot.

In 1979, Albert attended Pope John Paul II's visit to the White House after receiving an invitation from Jimmy Carter.

He had a wicked sense of humor which inspired those around him to not take life so seriously, was always willing to try new things, and would help anyone in need. He loved animals especially dogs, cats, and horses. Albert was larger than life and was known for his gregarious and generous nature.

Albert is predeceased by his siblings Steve Brien, Rene (Brother Simeon) Brien, Luke Brien, Marty Brien, Alphonse Brien, Arthur Brien, and sisters Lucette Alix, Claire Randolph, and Doris Amaya.

He is survived by his siblings Agnes Bardwell, Sidney Brien, children Christopher (and Elida) Brien, Elizabeth (and Scott) Nowak, Catherine Dinardo, and John (and Kerri) Brien. Grandpa Albert will be missed by his grandchildren Jessalyn (and Bobby) Paige, Eric and Emily Nowak, Connor, Rose, and Sophie Brien, Jully, Anayra, Alex Pichardo, and Soranllely Thach.

A funeral mass will be held at St. Joseph Parish in Epping NH on Friday, November 14 at 11:00 AM. In Lieu of flowers, donation could be made to Lazarus House Ministries in Lawrence, MA or The Brother Simeon Brien, FMS Memorial Scholarship.