Robert E. Briere, 86, died of natural causes Thursday, April 7th, 2022 at The Holiday Nursing Home in Manville, RI.
Born September 27th, 1935 son of Emile Joseph and Rita Irene (Peltier) Briere. Robert was the brother of the late Ronald Briere, Richard Briere, Emile Briere Jr., all of Florida, as well as, his surviving brother Raymond Briere of Florida.
Robert actively served in the U.S. Army from 1955 to 1958 and was on reserve duty until 1963. He survived a tour of the Korean War, receiving a Good Conduct Medal.
Robert married his late wife Shirley Mae (Myette) Briere in January of 1960, they were married until her death in September of 1997. They are survived by two children David Wayne Briere and his wife Maria Briere of Salem, Massachusetts and Brenda Marie Briere, of Lincoln. He was the grandfather of the late Steven Robert Briere of South Windsor, Connecticut, and surviving granddaughter Samantha Ann Rancourt, of Pawtucket, and great grandchild Alexander John Charbatji.
Robert remarried to his surviving wife, Elizabeth May (Chretien) Briere in June of 1998, survived by her children from a previous marriage; Brenda Deforest of Attleboro, Massachusetts, Marilyn Oddo of Lincoln, John Deforest and his wife Deborah of Attleboro, Massachusetts, Dennis Deforest and his wife Denise of New Hampshire, and Donna Rowan of Mapleville, RI. He was the stepfather to the late Kenneth and David Deforest. He was also survived by 17 step-grandchildren and 19 step-great-grandchildren that he took in and loved as his own.
After leaving the service Robert worked for Shaw & Randal in Pawtucket where he met his late wife Shirley. From there Robert joined the Teamsters Local Union No. 251, working alongside his father Emile at Law Trucking for approximately 15 years. He continued his truck driving career with Old Fox Fertilizer and Organic Dye Stuff until 2001. Robert retired from driving tractor trailers, in 2003 he came out of retirement to work at The Car Store in Pawtucket, RI.
Robert was a colon cancer survivor at the age of 75, leading to his full retirement from the workforce. Aside from his career, he was always involved in his grandchildren’s sporting events, recitals, and more, he was always seen in the stands cheering them on. Robert always watched or listened to baseball and football games, especially if the New York Yankees and New York Giants were playing. He enjoyed discussing the sport teams, games and players with his son David and grandson Steven, watching them together was even better. Robert enjoyed taking his wife Elizabeth to Foxwoods Casino to play BINGO, Twin Rivers Casino, and treating her to lunch or dinner at their favorite restaurants. You could always count on receiving a big batch of homemade chocolate and peanut butter fudge every holiday season from Robert.
Robert was an honest, hardworking, kind man who loved to share his stories, continue to share his stories as not a memory of his passing but a celebration of his life with us.
A service to celebrate the life of Robert will be held on Saturday, April 16th from 2:00 - 4:00 PM at Keefe Funeral Home, 5 Higginson Avenue, Lincoln, RI 02865.