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Aaron Briggs Obituary
Mr. Briggs was a three sport 'All State' athlete who graduated from South Kingstown High School in 1956. He went on to play professional baseball for the Chicago Cubs minor league organization, and continued his love and commitment to the sport by coaching several teams in the Scituate Foster Little League and Ponaganset High School. He also coached youth hockey in Foster and Glocester. His dedication to farming was obvious by his hard work and long time involvement in several farm organizations including the RI Farm Bureau, ASCS, The Northeast Dairy Compact and was the RI Green Pastures Dairyman of the year in 1983.
Mr. Briggs is survived by his wife Carolyn; three children, Aaron W. Briggs Jr., Roger D. Briggs, and Catherine C. Vashel and six grandchildren; three brothers, Frederick Jr., Jerome, and James Briggs; four sisters, Wilma Briggs, Diana Dodge, Iva Lussier, and Valda Gould. He was the brother of the late Richard, Roger, and Robert Briggs and Ursula Strout.
Relatives and friends are invited to the funeral Monday at 1 p.m. in the Windfield and Sons Funeral Home, 571 West Greenville Road, Rt. 116 N. Scituate. Calling hours Sunday 4-7 p.m. In lieu of flowers contributions in Mr. Briggs memory may be made to Scituate Foster Little League, PO Box 445, Scituate, RI 02857.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Aaron Briggs
Ron Tourgee
March 31, 2006
Dear Carolyn & Family,
I only had the pleasure of knowing Sacky during high school where I participated in sports, football and baseball, with Sacky. Sacky had one of the finest attitudes and code of ethics that I have had personal experience with. He was a super sportsman and I am the lucky one to have had the privilage of playing sports with him.
Ron & Barbara Tourgee
Carole Desmarais
March 29, 2006
Dear Carolyn & Family. I went all through school with Sacky, starting at Narragansett Grammar School. Although I have not seen him in 50 years I remember him well. He was a great person. He will be sorely missed by a lot of people. I am so very sorry. Carole Corbett Desmarais
Helen & Dick Reynolds
March 26, 2006
We send our thoughts and prayers to Carolyn and family. There was so much to Sacky's life that most of us from our class didn't know about. He was one special man. I met his sister Wilma this past summer. A family party held at my middle sisters aunts who are related to the Briggs family. They sure are a special family. Farmers and farmland are becoming so scarce, we will forever grateful for all he did for farming.
Artie Quirk
March 25, 2006
It is with great sadness that I express my belated condolences to Carolyn and the entire Briggs family. Sacky was a special friend and teammate. Although I only saw him occasionally in recent years, usually with Wilma at a sports-related dinner, I have many fond memories of our early years in Narragansett. Whether on the farm or on the baseball field, we had a great time working and playing together. It was also a privilege to play with the Frenchtown Farmers alongside the Briggs brothers. We would compete anytime and anywhere on sandlots, pastures, or groomed fields. It didn't matter what the conditions were or who we were playing against. We played with joy, abandon, and a winning attitude. I never enjoyed the game more than with Sacky and his family.
As a teammate, Sacky was noted for his competitive spirit and "true grit" behind the plate. As I pitcher, I couldn't have asked for a better catcher. He was so steadfast and confident that he inspired me to do my best. Anything less was unacceptable. Between the 60 feet, 6 inches that separated us on the playing field, we had wireless communications before it was invented. When it came to setting up hitters, we were not only on the same page, but sometimes focused on the same letter as we set up hitters and got them out. We were "in cahoots", as they say; we won a lot of games together and had fun doing it.
Our 1955 state championship was won in the day when small rural schools competed across divisions to take on the big city schools. Along with our teammates, we mowed them down. Sacky and I were proud to honored together as first team "All State" selections. My fondest memory was seeing Sacky take off the mask after a victory and see that look of joy on his face. Usually, all I could see were his big smile and shining eyes as the rest of his face was covered with sweat and grime, evidence that he had been working hard behind the plate. Nobody worked harder. He was a warrior. Later, when I went on to pitch in college and five years in professional baseball, I often yearned for someone like Sacky behind the plate. He was the best.
Bob and Nancy MacDonald
March 19, 2006
Dear Carolyn and family,
I trust you've received our condolences in our personal note but I also thought expressing our sympathies through the "Guest Book" was appropriate, too. As I stated before, even though we did not have an opportunity to get to know Aaron, Sr. very well, we always enjoyed his company during the family get-togethers, our very small family and your very large one. He always treated our grandson, Gabriel, as though he was one of his own. That was very special. Our thoughts remain with you and your family. Sincerely, Bob and Nancy MacDonald (Judy Brigg's parents)
Nancy Coggeshall
March 14, 2006
My heart goes out to the entire Briggs family on hearing of Sackie's demise, especially to Carolyn whom I remember at URI.
Briggses figure largely in my memories of Narragansett as a child.
Take good care.
James & Sandra Murray
March 11, 2006
Carolyn & Family, Allie, Jerry, Jimmy, Wilma, Diana, Iva, and Valda. Sandra and I were so very sorry to hear of Sacky's passing. We were in Florida at the time visiting with Allie and Lou when we heard the sad news. Please be assured that our thoughts, prayers and sympathies are with you all. We are very sorry we could not attend the services and wish you ALL well. Jim and Sandy.
Allan, Judy and Andy Goodman (Judy Brigg's aunt and uncle)
March 9, 2006
We were so sorry to hear of your loss. Although we only met Aaron at Judy and Aaron's wedding, he was a very charming and friendly man. Our sympathies and thoughts are with you. We will remember him fondly.
Kevin and Michele Strout
March 9, 2006
We are so sorry to have heard and want you all to know you are in our thoughts and will miss Uncle Sacky terribly. Kevin loves to tell Sacky stories and reminise about his younger days and baseball and the farm. Sacky left a very memorable mark in his life. Thank you Uncle Sacky and may you rest in peace.
Love To Aunt Carolyn and family.
Jane Potter Lister
March 7, 2006
Dear Carolyn and Family,
Mom told me today of Aaron's passing. We are so sorry. If we had know, we would have been with
you and your family. Please accept our deepest sympathy. Love to all , Hank & Jane Lister
patricia lucas
March 7, 2006
sincere sympathy to the briggs family,''sacky'' was always there
working the fields, may he rest in peace
the lucas family
Cheryl Maddalena
March 6, 2006
Aunt Carolyn, and Aaron, Roger, and Catherine,
I am so sorry to hear of Uncle Sacky's passing. Some of my favorite family memories are of visiting you all at the farm - I still regret not running barefoot through the barn since Uncle Sacky told me that would make folks grow taller! It is sad to me that he won't be there when I next get to RI with the kids, because I always felt like real family with him from the start, when I was a little girl and he was a giant. And it touched me to no end that he and Aunt Carolyn made it out to my wedding - his red suspenders are in many a photo. I'll never forget his welcome and his kindness and I will miss him.
Much love to you all,
Cheryl and family
Wendy (Donnelly) Auman
March 6, 2006
My prayers go out to the Briggs Family. I can remember going to the Briggs Farm for a field trip back in elementary school and having a great time. Such a nice family that I have thought of from time to time over the years.
God bless you all.
Liz Gabriele-Cowman
March 6, 2006
I was sorry to read about Mr. Briggs passing. Your family is in my prayers.
Judy and Tom Simmerer
March 6, 2006
While we never knew Saki personally, through you Jerry and listening to all of your childhood stories, we feel we know all of your brothers and sisters. We are so sorry for your loss and extend our deepest sympathies to you and your entire family.
We love you, Jerry.
Lorna Briggs
March 6, 2006
To The Briggs Family, I remember going to Sacky's with Jerry and being outside in the 90 degree weather and having to throw the bales of hay up on the truck and man what a job, you are covered in hay, the hay is inside your clothes making you itch and you are sweating. That is a true farmer and the Briggs boys have had to do that most of their lives. You see farming is in their blood and we need true farmers in Rhode Island, Sacky was the best there is and fought for the farmers in Rhode Island. Jerry and Sacky would be covered in hay and sweat, stop for a minute and get talking and next thing you knew they were laughing so hard. My husband (Jerry) thought the world of Sacky and this is breaking his heart. Sacky always made me laugh and told stories of the old days. He would go in the house to get a cold drink and Carolyn would tell him to relax for a minute and Sacky would say, no there is work to be done. Bub and Jerry would help drive the truck to get the corn in. Sacky I will miss going to the farm to get hay and watching you smile. Rest in peace.
Eric Briggs
March 6, 2006
To Aunt Carolyn and Family, I will greatly miss Uncle Sacky, Dad(Jerry) and I would go up and get the hay out of the fields or off the carts in the hottest weather and Uncle Sacky and dad would just keep going. Uncle Sacky and dad would be throwing up the hay, sweat all over them, Uncle Sacky in the red suspenders and they would be talking and laughing. That will always be in my mind. I will greatly miss Uncle Sacky he was a wonderful man and a hard working man. He loved his family greatly. Just to see Dad and Uncle Sacky together on his farm was great it made me think of all the stories they told about life on the farm and until you were there working with them out in the field you never know how hard the work was. Uncle Sacky rest in peace you deserve it, you worked hard all your life.
Fred and Linda Maddalena
March 5, 2006
Carolyn and family, Our hearts are breaking along with yours. We loved Sacky so much. It is hard to imagine this world without him. Sacky was much more than an uncle to me. He was like my big brother, and also a parent when I needed it. He taught me by example all the really important things in life, like how to work hard, and be responsible just because it was the right thing to do. A teenager could not get into trouble working with him, you were too tired! I learned from him that competitiveness in sports is a good thing, but not the only thing. He was the slowest base runner in the family, but the fastest on the ice. Sunday hockey on Bub's pond was the best fun for several years. He had the longest singles on the Frenchtown Farmers team. He was a catcher, but pitched too. He won his share of games. For some reason, he was the only pitcher I could ever hit....15 years later, my daughter said the same thing about me. I loved the summers working with Sacky. I hope he was proud of me. I will always remember his funny sense of humor, and all the near catastrophies we had together. When I remember him, it will be for the way he included me in his life, and the way he could make me laugh till it hurt. I look forward to remembering those stories with you all.
Jerome Briggs Jr.
March 5, 2006
Sorry to here about uncle sacky.All i can rememder about uncle sacky is that he was always good to me.That he carryed our family tradition of being a farmer in that he love to play ball. To my Aunt Carolyn and cousins. A sign of a good man an husband and father in how he works to his best abilty,to keep all these things together.Uncle Sacky did them all. I will always tell my childern what a good man he was. My hope an prayer is that he is with the good lord.Losing someone you love is never easy but time heal's all things.May you all find strenght in our lord Jesus Christ,in whom all things are possible.Our deepist sympathy from me and my family. LOVE JEROME Jr.
Tom & Bonnie Harpin (Briggs)
March 5, 2006
Aunt Carolyn & Family so sorry to hear about Uncle Sacky. He will be sadly missed by all.
Tom, Bonnie & Family
Iva & Paul Lussier
March 5, 2006
Dear Carolyn,
How we will miss Sacky as I know you will. Paul & I will never forget the pranks he would play. We will always remember the empty milk jugs we would find in our front yard, and the hammer that he thought we stole and best of all the "Entenmann's Coffee Cake" he brought to Midland Transmission for our coffee break! That one was really over the top. May all his memories give you strength. He was a great brother.
Love, Iva & Paul
Steve Kettelle
March 5, 2006
Carolyn, Aaron, Roger and Cathryn,
I was very sad to hear of Sacky's passing. I have such fond memories of him coaching us in little league. As busy as he was, and Sacky always was busy, be always took time out of his busy day to be our coach. We tried to return the favor in helping him by getting hay out of the field after practice if a big storm was headed out way.
He taught us good sportsmanship and fair play. It just seemed that he was always there.
I think Sacky was the hardest working guy I have ever known. The only one who might give him a run at that title was my Grandfather Ralph.
Just know what he did, and how he did it was appreciated by us all.
Steve Kettelle
Graham Nye
March 5, 2006
This is to express my sympathy to the Briggs family. Sacky was a teammate and friend through South Kingstown HS. He was a wonderful person first and a great athlete second. We will miss him at our 50th reunion this year.
Bob Smith
March 4, 2006
Our condolences to all of Sacky's family. He and I played basketball and graduated from SK High School in 1956. My wife Trudy graduated from Narragansett Grammar School with Sacky and rode the school bus with him and his brothers and sisters. Sacky was one of the finest. He will be missed by many.
Bill and Nancy Soares (Irene's Sister)
March 4, 2006
Bill and I would like to give the family our sincere condolances. Our prayers are with you always. Unfortunally, the good Lord needed him above. He was a good man indeed. He will be sadly missed.
Allie & Lou Briggs
March 4, 2006
With our deepest sympathy to you Carolyn and Family. We have many fond memories of our get-togethers and Sacky's ability to make us feel good. Playing baseball, getting the corn in and just "shooting the bull". You and the children will have many moments to cherish. We will be in touch with you and so sorry we are unable to be there. God Blessings' to you and peace.
Paula Knowles
March 4, 2006
Our condolences too the family.He was a great neighbor to have.He worked his farm 365 days a year,not a day off.we will miss his smiling face with his grandchildren, driving the tractor down the road.
Geneva Malenfant
March 4, 2006
I was sorry to hear this news. I was a classmate of Sackys at SKHS and I always enjoyed chatting with himm and have great meemories of Briggs' farm on Pt. Judith Road where he lived. In high school I was Geneva Tallman. My condolences to his family.
Jerome Briggs
March 4, 2006
Aaron(Sacky)Briggs, Sr. was one of the hardest workers and best friend and brother to me. Sacky you will be greatly missed. You touched so many hearts and minds. I just spend time with you at a dinner for our sister and you were laughing and joking, a beautiful memory. Sacky I will miss you a great deal, you were a wonderful brother, I love you, Jerome Briggs
Michele, Jim, Drew and Olivia Boblola
March 4, 2006
We would like to express our deepest sympathy to Mrs. Briggs, Aaron, Roger, Julie and Catherine.
Also to all the grandchildren and extended family members of Mr. Briggs. We had the privledge of living across the street from the Briggs for seven years. He could always be seen working the farm at all hours of the day and night. We could always count on hearing his tractor running and seeing him tend to his numerous crops of cow corn and hay. He even challenged my son once to a snowball fight during a snowstorm. We knew him as a very quiet keep to himself sort of man.
We will miss him dearly.
Judith (Morse) Inman
March 4, 2006
Carolyn - My deepest condolences to you and your family.
Judy and Al Inman
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