Raymond Briggs

Raymond  H.  Briggs

Raymond H. Briggs, 86, of West Mifflin, Pennsylvania died on November 28, 2012 at Sycamore Estate in Duquesne, Pennsylvania.  He was born February 28, 1926 in Washington County, Pennsylvania, son of Oakie C. Caldwell and Jessie Briggs, adopted son of Russell Briggs.  He is survived by his wife, of 63 years, Cora June (Mounts) Briggs; three children, son, David R. Briggs and his wife Merlene, of McKeesport, Pennsylvania; daughters, Janice R. Studt and her husband Paul, of Bethel Park, Pennsylvania and Renee A. Linehan and her husband John, of Hawthorne, California;  eight grandchildren, Eric and Brian Studt, Charles (Carly), Timothy, John, and Kathleen Linehan, Paula and Joel Pawski; one great-grandson Joel Thomas Pawski; six brothers and sisters, Russell (the late Norma) Briggs, James (Edith) Briggs, Doris Gene (the late David) Gay, Glenn (Holly) Briggs, Lola Caldwell (the late Ed) Telatovich, and James Caldwell; and many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews.  Preceding him in death were his parents; one son, Steven J. Briggs, in 1976 and four sisters, Frances Elizabeth Caldwell (in infancy), Geraldine (the late Doug) Magee, Gayle (the late Dan) King, Doris Caldwell (the late Zac) Howard.

In 1943 Ray graduated from Washington High School in Washington, PA, while residing with his grandmother, Sadie Bryner.  He served his country in the U.S. Army Air Force, and later as a first lieutenant in the Air Force Reserves.  Ray graduated from Washington & Jefferson College in Washington, PA in 1952, and did post-graduate studies at North Dakota State University in the 1970s.  He worked for four years at U.S. Steel in Homestead, Pennsylvania.  Ray taught math, science, English, and French in the West Mifflin Area School District for more than 30 years beginning in the 1950s.  He sponsored a model airplane club at the schools, was a member of the Aero Radio Control Society (ARCS) and Civil Air Patrol, and held a private pilot’s license for many years.  He was an avid Pittsburgh Steelers and Pirates fan.

Ray served as an elder, lay reader, choir member, and member of the men’s work group at the First Presbyterian Church of Duquesne where a memorial service will be held on Sunday, December 9, 2012 at 3 pm.  There will be a reception of family and friends one hour prior to the service in the Chapel at the church.  The service will be conducted by the Rev. Judith L. Slater, the Rev. Maxine E. Jenkins, and student pastor Mary Yearsley.

The family expresses thanks to the staff at Sycamore Estate and Three Rivers Hospice for the excellent care Ray received from them during his stay.  In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to the First Presbyterian Church of Duquesne Memorial Fund, 719 Duquesne Blvd., Duquesne, Pennsylvania 15110 or In Care of Cats, P.O. Box 373, Elizabeth, Pennsylvania 15037 or the charity of your choice.