October 16, 2024
Briggs, Charles
Charles Earle Briggs, a longtime resident of Norwood died unexpectedly on Saturday, October 5, 2024 at the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Needham. He was 85
Charlie was born October 14th, 1938 in Boston, Massachusetts, the son of William Earle and Mary Margaret (Daley) Briggs. He graduated high school from Tabor Academy and went on to study at Maine Maritime Academy, graduating in 1960. After graduating MMA, Charlie returned and sailed as a watch officer on the school training ship.
Charlie was a dedicated Freemason of 65 years, having joined Hancock
Lodge #4 in Castine, Maine while a midshipman at Maine Maritime
Academy, and later joined Orient Lodge in his hometown of Norwood, MA.
He served in numerous roles over the years, including District Deputy
Grand Master of the 4th Masonic District of Maine, Master of Orient
Lodge, and Grand Organist for Grand Lodge in Maine. A self taught organist, he most enjoyed traveling throughout Massachusetts and Maine to serve as organist for many Masonic ceremonies. Among the countless accolades for his service, he rose to the level of 33rd degree, an honor bestowed on few Masons.
Charlie had a passion for adventure, as was evident by his countless world
trips, ranging from going on an African safari to riding the Orient Express
throughout Asia. He had an interest in trains and frequently enjoyed taking
cross country trips, sometimes in a private rail car.
An avid lover of music, Charlie was particularly drawn to the theatre organ
after seeing the organ at Radio City Music Hall during a Christmas show.
He was an active member of the American Theatre Organ Society (ATOS),
Eastern Massachusetts Chapter of ATOS, and the Pine Tree Chapter of
ATOS. He frequently traveled to organ conventions and concerts around
the country, and was well known in the theatre organ community for his
ardent support of the instrument; in particular, fostering new talent. As a
member, then later President, of the Eastern Massachusetts Chapter, he
sponsored an annual “Young Organist Concert” at Babson College on the
Chapter’s Wurlitzer Organ. Many organists he invited are now among the
top in the field today. In recognition of his decades of tireless support,
Charlie was awarded the 2023 “Member of the Year” by the American
Theatre Organ Society.
Charlie was the owner/operator of C.A. Briggs, Company, a candy manufacturing firm started by his father. They started out in Cambridge and later moved the operation to Norwood. He moved out of the candy business and for 40 years worked in the trucking and transport industry fir C&D Warehouse Cartage, a company he started and operated with his friend and partner David Mullin.
Visiting hours will be held Friday, october 18th from 6 to 8 pm at the Folsom & May Funeral Home, 85 Nichols Street, Norwood with a Masonic Service by Orient Lodge, AF & AM of Norwood at 7 ‘o clock. A Graveside service will e held Saturday at 10 am at Highland Cemetery on Winter Street in Norwood. In lieu of flowers donations to the Shriner’s Hospital for Children, 51 Blossom Street, Boston, MA 02114 would please Charlie.
Comments(14)
Rest in Peace Brother! You’ll be missed.
Charlie was a great man and a great mason. He was always ready and willing to play the organ almost anywhere. The organ concerts by his young students were outstanding. Few were loved by so many. You are missed.
I will miss his kind words he was a quiet leader!
It was an honor to know Charle Rest in Peace Brother
Rest in Peace my Brother. The joy your music and kindness brought to our craft will be missed by your brothers.
May you rest in peace my Brother. I will miss you deeply.
Fair winds and following seas, my Brother.
We will miss you Charlie! EMCATOS will be severely missing you. I’m glad to have known you through both the Masons and EMCATOS.
It was truly a pleasure and privilege to have known you. Rest easy, my brother.
Thank you Charlie for all your help and guidance, genuine interest and love for all things Maritime! You have enriched all the lives you touched and will be missed by all. Amen !
A truly great man and Brother Mason. Alas, My Brother.
I met you as a new “Mugg” at Maine Maritime Academy in August of 1959. You were an upper-class Rate, in charge of the ship, to which I was assigned. Self-discipline, attention to orders, a lifestyle I loved. We have maintained contact for 65 years and I am thankful for your friendship. Our Masonic history remains, and I feel sure your meeting with the Supreme Architect of the Universe will be assured, given the person you were and continue in the minds of many. Rest in peace and continue to execute your duties as this life provided. Till later when we all reunite, God bless.
Although I only knew you for a short time,I realized that you were the type of man and Mason I wanted to be. I will miss you, Brother.
I’ve known Charlie a long time; he was my childhood friend. His family had the only television in the neighborhood. Charlie would invite our friends to go to his house to watch The Lone Ranger on Saturday nights. We kept in touch through our years at the Orient Lodge in Norwood. Charlie was a great man. I was unable to make his services due to a recent hospitalization and I am sorry to have missed honoring him in person. He will be missed by many, including me.