C. Norman Briggs Jr.

C. Norman "Butch" Briggs, Jr. was born on June 20, 1944, in Temple, Texas, and passed away on November 5, 2025, in Boynton Beach, Florida at the age of 81.
Norman was born to Panayiota Carras, an immigrant from Greece, and C. Norman Briggs, III, a sergeant in the US Army. He grew up in Ann Arbor, Michigan and attended Ann Arbor High School, where he participated in track and boxing.
After high school, Norman proudly served his country in the United States Navy as an airman (E-3) with duties in a fighter squadron on the USS Enterprise for three and a half years.
He spent his early adult life on a small farm in Ann Arbor, Michigan with his wife and two daughters, Disa and Kristin. Norman enjoyed working on cars, caring for his animals on "the Farm," and spending time with his family-who affectionately called him Butch-and his friends, who knew him as Greek. He managed two small restaurants in downtown Ann Arbor, both called PJ's, where his love for hospitality began.
In the early 1980s, Norman moved to South Florida to open and become the general manager of the well-known restaurant The Wildflower. He was the creative force behind transforming it into one of Boca Raton's most popular nightclubs during the 1980s and 1990s. During his time there, Norman helped raise funds for numerous local and national charities, earning him the title of "Mr. Wonderful of Boca Raton" in 1984 for his outstanding community service.
In 1983, he met Martha Samuels, who would become his faithful life partner. Her children, Glenn and Nancy, became part of his beloved family.
Continuing his career in the bar and restaurant industry, Norman went on to open and operate Scarlett O'Hara's and Rhett Butler's Saloon, where he continued to provide the community with a place to gather, share a meal, and enjoy a night out with family and friends.
One of Norman's greatest passions was his Ford Lightning Truck, which he extensively modified with his own hands. He spent countless hours fine-tuning it and had many exciting nights racing it on the quarter mile. Through this passion, he built lifelong friendships with his team, Lightning Fast Racing.
Norman was also the biggest University of Michigan football fan you could ever meet. He lived for the Michigan football season and Saturday college games. If you ever saw a man in South Florida, especially at Duffy's in Boynton Beach, with maize and blue hair or body paint-it was probably Norman. Wearing red, the color of "the other team," was strictly forbidden in his presence. His first words as a child may very well have been "Go Blue!"
Above all, the only thing Norman loved more than Michigan football was his family.
Norman is survived by his children: Glenn (Lauri) Samuels, Disa Webb, Nancy (Linda) Samuels, and Kristin (Jason) Bowling; his grandchildren: Collin, Alex, Erica, Austin, Jared (Izzy),Mark, Tyson, and Lily; and his sister, Theresa (Dean) Anderson.
He was preceded in death by the love of his life, Martha Samuels, and his brother, Steven Briggs, Sr.
A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.