James R. Briggs

James R. Briggs, 94, of Narragansett, passed away peacefully Saturday at home surrounded by his loving family. He was the beloved husband of Louisa (Browning) Briggs for 67 years. Born in Providence, he was the son of the late William H. and Jessie (Smith) Briggs. His mother was a proud member of both the DAR and the Eastern Star and his father was a Mason. He was a graduate of Hope High School, where he played on the hockey team, and he attended the University of Rhode Island. Mr. Briggs was an accomplished Real Estate Developer, developing over eight subdivisions getting his start with Briggs Farm in Narragansett. He owned real estate coast to coast, California to Rhode Island, New Hampshire to Florida, he was very proud of that. He was the former Tax Assessor for the Town of Narragansett, was the former owner of The Neptune Inn (now Turtle Soup) on Ocean Road, a former owner of the Sea Lord Seafood Company and Kathy Lord School in Providence and he was one of the founding members and former president of the Pettasquamscutt Credit Union. He was a veteran of WWII serving in the Army Air Corps. He was a member of the Pt Judith Country Club, the Dunes Club, and was a winter resident of Long Boat Key, Florida. His greatest joys were being around his family, gazing at the water from the deck of both his home on Salt Pond and former home on Wildfield Farm and watching his granddaughter race automobiles at over 330 MPH, either on television or in attendance. He was famous for his parties and was a joy to be around for all that had the pleasure to know him. Besides his wife, he is survived by four children. Nancy Briggs Fell of Narragansett, Jamie Lou Briggs of Narragansett, Sandra Jean Paul of Sutton, MA, and Jeffery Browning Briggs of Narragansett; nine grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at (10 am Friday) at St Mary Star of the Sea Church, 864 Pt Judith Road, Narragansett. Burial will be private. Visiting Hours are at Avery-Storti Funeral Home, 88 Columbia Street, Wakefield, Thursday 4-7 pm. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to The Wounded Warrior Project, PO BOX 758516, Topeka, KS 66675.