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Warren A. Briggs

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University at Albany

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9231 Cypress Lake Drive

Fort Myers, Florida

Warren Briggs Obituary

Warren A. Briggs

Fort Myers Beach, FL - Warren A. Briggs, 79, of Fort Myers Beach, FL passed away on Wednesday, October 15, 2014. Warren was the son of George and Anne Briggs as well as a loving husband to Lorelle Briggs. Warren was the Administrative Director at Hudson River Psychiatric Center in Poughkeepsie for over twenty years until his retirement to Fort Myers Beach in 1991. He was a graduate of Bard College and received his Master's in Public Health Administration from SUNY Albany in 1975. He was an avid sailor and always loved the water, enjoying many family beach trips to the North Carolina coast. He will be greatly missed by family and his countless friends.

He is survived by his wife, Lorelle; children, Jennifer (David) Baratta, Jon, and David Briggs; grandchildren, Nicholas, Paige and Olivia Baratta, Jenna Briggs, Jessica Briggs, Michael Briggs and great grandchild, Delia Briggs.

Private Services will be held in New York at a later date.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Poughkeepsie Journal on Oct. 18, 2014.

Memories and Condolences
for Warren Briggs

29 Entries

Tom Murphy

November 10, 2014

I first met Warren when arriving at Hudson River State Hospital (the old name of Hudson River Psychiatric Center) in 1969. Warren was the Director of Personnel and I was beginning my residency in Mental Health Administration.
Shortly after my arrival Warren was promoted to the Business Officer position and he provided me the opportunity to temporarily replace him as Director of Personnel. In that role I was quickly confronted with the variety and magnitude of issues Warren had dealt with: union concerns, disciplinary actions, patient complaints, planning and budgetary issues, and meeting Regional and Central Office initiatives and requirements.
Warren had an open and welcoming management style. He gave everyone latitude to make decisions and then supported them. He was always available for consultation and confronted problems as necessary. The prevailing theme was his encouragement to his staff in their meeting their responsibilities. Warren's style proved effective at Hudson River and he eventually became the top mental health administrator, Deputy Director for Administrative Services. He experienced rapid advancement to the top of the Hudson River management group and became the senior administrative influence.
Aside from his widespread influence at Hudson River, Warren was chosen by the Central Office to participate as a member of statewide negotiating teams for union collective bargaining efforts. This occurred several times; proof of his value in advancing employment conditions for employees involved in caring for mental health patients throughout New York State. This was a truly significant contribution.
The above has been a glimpse of Warren as a professional manager; now a more personal side. Employees' lives were beset with complications as would be expected with a workforce of thousands of employees in the early 1970's. I remember when a telephone operator's home burned down leaving her and family homeless. Warren provided on campus housing for a period of time, providing a safety net.
When given the opportunity to support the neighbors of HRSH, Warren arranged and approved the provision of water to the Culinary Institute of America (CIA) through the HRSH water filtration plant. This was required for the CIA to provide their programs.
A group of HRSH employees played poker for a period of time. Poker provides for bluffing to be in the game. Warren seemed to shift from conservative to aggressive card playing. When bluffing, or trying to bluff, Warren would give away his bluff when a slight smile would develop on his face. Thus, his bluff was usually called and usually didn't work. But, what about the times, maybe, the bluff worked and the other card players did not know Warren was bluffing?
Another of Warren's trademarks: He would carry his checkbook with him everywhere and check it as many today check their cell phones.
The one phrase that describes Warren is the title, Warren Briggs: A Man of Goodness. His management style is now part of the literature that says management's role is to coach and support staff to gain their fullest efforts. This was his style.
May he be long remembered as a person of goodness and exceptional professional manager. It was a pleasure to be his friend and mentee for many years.

November 2, 2014

I'm so sorry to hear of Warren's death. I was a classmate and graduated with him in 1953. My sincere condolences go out to you and your family.

Helen L. Fairbairn, Red Hook, NY

Paige

October 27, 2014

Warren was my grandfather and I am unable to think of a memory with him that doesn't make me smile or laugh. I feel so fortunate to have spent 24 years making special memories with my brilliant grandfather. Although this page has made me unbelievably sad it has also been so touching to see the impact my grandfather had on everyone that knew him. Thank you to everyone that has shared on this page, it means a lot.

October 26, 2014

I would like to offer my deepest sympathy to Warren's family and friends. Warren was my supervisor for many years and I considered him to be a friend. I admired him for his brilliance, kindness and great sense of humor. He was a great man.

Dad at Paige's graduation 2014

October 25, 2014

Sarah Dilling

October 23, 2014

Our deepest sympathies to Warren's family for their loss. Warren was one of our first patients at Avalon Dental when Dr Dilling bought the practice, and we loved his smiling face everytime he came in.

October 21, 2014

Lorelle and family
My thoughts and prayers go out to you we had nothing but happy thoughts and good times together, coming up to our class luncheons several times and just recently being together again . We will miss him greatly class of' 53 Red Hook Central and Barbara Lewis Barrytown N.Y.

October 20, 2014

SO, SO SORRY TO THE BRIGGS FAMILY. MAY WARREN REST IN PEACE. SUE BOWMAN, RETIRED H.R.P.C. EMPLOYEE

Ralph Kotsur

October 20, 2014

My deepest sympathies to Warren's family for their great loss. Warren was a dear friend and I so enjoyed our time together at Gold's Gym. Both Warren and I were New York Giant football fans and I looked forward to our Monday morning quarterbacking of the game. Time will lessen the pain of his loss but the memories I have of him will remain with me forever.

David Moulton

October 20, 2014

My condolences to Warrens family.I was a friend of Warrens at Golds gym for the last 18 years.I was shocked at his passing.Warren would share stories about his sailing days up to Massachusetts.That is were I am from.I wish there was something I could do or say to make you feel better.All I know is that Warren is right now expierencing more joy and happiness than you or I can ever conceive.So as time passes ,perhaps if we shift our focus from our grief to his joy consolation and peace will come.

Kathy Howard

October 20, 2014

Lorelle and Family. So sorry for your loss. Worked with Warren at HRPC. RIP...

Bruce Ginsberg

October 20, 2014

I met Warren 6 years ago at Golds Gym. Over the years we had discussions about politics, history, the stock market and New York State and City. He was a super warm and intelligent individual. He also talked about his love of cruises and places he had visited. He loved his family and visited his children on a regular basis. Recently he told me how he flew up north to attend his 60th high school reunion. He was a people person. I can speak for the rest of the members of gym when I say we were shocked and saddened to learn of his death. My condolences to his family and may he rest in peace.

October 20, 2014

My deepest condolences to the Warren Briggs family. Warren was a friend and training associate at the Gold's Gym at Fort Myers. He will be missed by his many friends and associates who new him. A great person and personality. He will be missed.
Frank Colesanti for his friends at Gold's Gym.

Sharon Cole

October 20, 2014

Condolences to Warren's family. I had the pleasure of being his secretary for several years and saw his kindness and thoughtful ways every day . He was a great boss.

Sandy Filler

October 20, 2014

Lorelle and your family,
My sympathies to you all. I will always remember Warren who when I called him at work one day and asked him for a favor ,he said, " Name it" without hearing what it was. I'm so glad I got the chance not long ago to thank him again for helping me and my husband Ed while working at HRPC. He sent me a condolence when Ed passed away and relayed a story while talking with Ed by the Hudson River. They both liked the river. Warren was a kind and caring guy and I shall never forget him.

October 19, 2014

Warren and I were in the same high school class. I remember his energy and good humor. He and his buddies were fun and funny -- a core of our class identity. Then time went by -- a life time -- and we met again just a month ago in Red Hook -- a fine man in all respects. He was so kind, articulate, considerate... a re-found friend that I treasured. I am profoundly saddened by his loss. My sympathy goes out to his wife and family. I know how empty it must feel.
Barbara Schroedel Lewis

Meg Curry and Carl Wood

October 19, 2014

Lorelle, David and Family, We are saddened to hear of Warren's passing. We have fond memories of our time together at Pinebrook Estates in Hyde Park. May God grant you peace and strength.

Daniel Valentine

October 19, 2014

Very sorry for your loss, Mrs Briggs.

October 18, 2014

Lorelle, so sorry for your loss. My condolences to you and your family. Edna Lyons.

Abbey Road

October 18, 2014

Thanks for sharing a person with so much to do with Hudson River Psych. I know he has touched many many lives...and we're all blessed. RIP

Irene and John Moore

October 18, 2014

John and I are so very sorry to hear about the loss of Warren Briggs..We owe so much to him as does just about every person from his home town as he helped many of us us to secure employment when times were really tough and jobs were hard to find.He was a good man, just like his father before him, who gave a very poor 17 year old young man, my husband John, his first job at Bard College. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends and especially all of his HRPC friends.

kathy & Doug Leighton

October 18, 2014

Warren was a dear friend and will be missed. Our prayers are with the family.

Ed DelForno

October 18, 2014

Lorelle, So sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

John Hillsbeck

October 18, 2014

Lorelle and Family
Thinking of you and happier times when we were neighbors at Pinebrook.
Jack and JoAnne Hillsbeck

joyce herman

October 18, 2014

Lorelle and family, my heartfelt sympathy. Several of my friends and I were recently reminiscing about Warren and how much we enjoyed knowing and working with him.

October 17, 2014

I had the privilege of calling Warren my Father-in-Law and will always keep him in my heart as part of my family.

Jenna Briggs

October 17, 2014

My grandfather was a beautiful soul so full of knowledge and joy. He thought me many things and I will miss him greatly. Prayers go out to my family and to my father.

Karen Briggs

October 17, 2014

I'm so very sorry for your loss. Warren was a wonderful man. I will keep you all in my prayers.
Love and Light,
Karen

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