Edward J. Briere, Sr.

Putnam – Edward J. Briere, Sr., 90, of Harrison St., died Tuesday morning, August 19, 2014 in Matulaitis Nursing Home.  He is the loving husband of nearly 68 years of the late Irene A. ( Robitaille) Briere who died on July 16, 2011.  Born in Stafford Springs, he was the son of the late Frank and Laura (Masse) Briere.

Mr. Briere was a veteran of World War II where he achieved the ranking of Staff Sargent and received a bronze star for heroism. Ed was a prisoner of war being held by the Nazis for six months before being liberated by the Allied troops on May 25, 1944.

Mr. Briere enjoyed watching sports especially the Boston Celtics and the Atlanta Braves; traveling with his wife and close friends the Cormiers to New Hampshire, and doing puzzles especially word searches. Edward was a devoted family man and cherished the time that he spent with his family especially at their Sunday dinners. He was a Eucharistic minister and altar server for over 22 years at St. Mary Church of the Visitation in Putnam. He also was a member of the choir and was the jack of all trades for the church for many years.

Mr. Briere was a member of the Putnam Lodge of Elks, American Legion post #13 in Putnam, the Putnam VFW, a member of the Happy Singers, and was the 2009 Parade Marshall for the Putnam Memorial Day Parade.

Edward is survived by his sons, Edward J. Briere, Jr. and his wife Donna of Putnam, and William Briere of Dayville; his daughters, Marie Desautels and her husband Paul of Putnam, and Jane Briere of Putnam; four grandchildren John Labossiere, Jr. and his fiancé Deb Rose, Lynne Labossiere, Lauren Briere, and Todd Desautels; three great grandchildren Marquis Shaw, and Dominique and Connor Desautels; his goddaughter Dolores Wallick; nieces and nephews Omer Briere, Lucille Gauthier, Richard Briere, Carol Rodriguez, and Robert Messier, and several great nieces and nephews.

Edward is predeceased by two brothers William and Omer Briere, a sister Lillian Messier, and a nephew Theodore Messier.

Relatives and friends are invited to visit with Edward’s family from 5:00 to 8:00 pm on Friday, August 22, 2014, in the Gilman Funeral Home, 104 Church St., Putnam. A gathering will begin in the funeral home on Saturday, August 23, 2014 at 9:00 am, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 am in St. Mary Church of the Visitation, 218 Providence St, Putnam, CT.  Burial will follow in St. Mary Cemetery. Memorial donations in Edward’s memory may be made to St. Mary Church of the Visitation, 218 Providence St., Putnam, CT 06260. For memorial guestbook visit www.GilmanAndValade.com.