James H. Briggs

James H. Briggs, 87, of South Kingstown, died Monday. He was the beloved husband of the late Shirley (Vallee) Briggs Born in Pawtucket, he was a son of the late John and Helen (Gavitt) Briggs. Mr. Briggs moved to South Kingstown at a young age and attended South Kingstown Schools. In 1957, Mr. Briggs and his late wife Shirley, founded The Briggs Septic Company, which they ran until 1987, when their son James Briggs, Jr. took over the business. He served honorably in the United States Army Air Forces during World War II. Mr. Briggs loved to hunt and was credited with shooting the “Biggest Buck" in the State of Rhode Island one year. When he was younger he enjoyed horseback riding and he was an excellent horseshoe player. He is a former member of the South Kingstown Elks Lodge and when his daughters were younger, he and his wife were active in the girl scouts He is survived by six children, Linda Briggs of North Kingstown, James Briggs, Jr. and Steven Briggs, both of South Kingstown, Cheryl Hall of Wakefield, Mark Briggs of Charlestown, and Wayne Briggs of Attleboro, MA; eighteen grandchildren and seventeen great-grandchildren; two sisters, Helen Fry of Kingston and Teresa Frisella of Wakefield; and a brother Robert Briggs of South Kingstown. He was the brother of the late John Briggs, Ethel “Bealy” Westcott and George Briggs. A funeral service will be held Friday at 11 am in the Avery-Storti Funeral Home, 88 Columbia Street, Wakefield. Burial with military honors will follow in St. Francis Cemetery, Peace Dale. Visiting hours are Thursday 4 - 7 pm. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to a charity that is special to you.