Charles Dalton Briggs

Charles Dalton Briggs of Sun City Center, Florida (formerly of Rumson, NJ, Orlando, FL and Severna Park, Md) passed away peacefully on September 23rd at the age of 93. He is survived by his loving wife of seventy-two years Margaret "Peggy" Briggs, five children: David (Pat) of Annapolis, Md; Eric of Huntingtown, Md; Jonathan (Kathy) of Centreville Md; Carla Frame (Mark) of Brandon, Fl; Lisa of Fort Mill, SC; twelve grandchildren: David, Megan, Tyler, Erica, Kirsten, Jason, Jonathan, Matthew, Lauren, Carson, Christopher, Ruby; and ten great grandchildren. Charlie was born in Rumson, NJ in 1921 to Charles F. and Frances Wilson Briggs. He was the big brother to three younger sisters (Lillian, Muriel, and Catherine). He graduated from Rumson High School in 1939 where he lettered in football, basketball and tennis. He was later inducted into the Rumson-Fair Haven Regional Hall of Fame. Mr. Briggs was an accomplished tennis player and spent several summers working at the prestigious Sea Bright Lawn Tennis and Cricket Club where he would hone his game and earn his keep by stringing rackets and assisting the professional staff. He won the Red Bank, NJ singles Championship twice. During his high school years, Mr. Briggs was lead trumpet player and bandleader of "The Briggadiers", a swing band he formed which played throughout the New Jersey and New York areas. Recognizing musical genius when he heard it, Charlie hired a young trombonist to play in the band - Nelson Riddle - who would go on to enjoy national fame and acclaim as an arranger and composer. They remained lifelong friends. Mr. Briggs continued his love of music in the 40's and 50's, playing with several bands in the New Jersey area. When one of Charlie's aunts first introduced him to Peggy Rankin when they were both youngsters, the aunt exclaimed, 'Charlie, this is the girl you're going to marry" and indeed she was right, for years later, on August 2, 1942, they were married in Red Bank, NJ. Shortly thereafter, Charlie joined the Army, rising to the rank of First Sergeant while serving in the 292nd Joint Assault Signal Company (JASCo) which was attached to the 77th Infantry and the 1st Cavalry Divisions. His unit saw action in Guam, Leyte, Luzon, Kerama Retto, le Shima, and Okinawa. He was very proud of the time he spent in the military in defense of his country. Charlie and Peggy kept in touch with many former JASCo members and WWII vets, attending their annual reunions held throughout the country. Mr. Briggs began his career with the Bell System in 1941. He retired in 1984 after serving almost 44 years in various managerial positions of increased responsibility. Among his proudest accomplishments was his work with Bellcomm, Inc., in Washington D.C. where he received commendations for his efforts in supporting NASA with the groundbreaking launch of Apollo 11, the first manned space flight to land on the moon in 1969. His last position was Department Head, Bell Laboratories in Holmdel, New Jersey. While employed with Bell Labs, Mr. Briggs served on the Board of Directors of the Monmouth County United Way and the American Red Cross. After moving to Severna Park with their five children in 1958, Charlie and Peggy became very active in the local community and the Woods Memorial Presbyterian church. Both of them were founding members of the Severna Park High School Falcon Field Boosters and were instrumental in raising funds needed for the construction of the first Falcon football field which was inaugurated in 1962. In 1985, Charlie and Peggy moved to Orlando, Florida. There, he enjoyed golf, tennis, and entertaining visiting family members and friends. The couple moved to Sun City Center in 2013. Charlie was a gregarious, people loving, big-hearted man with a zest for life. He was a devoted family man - loving and supporting his wife and children unconditionally. He was keenly interested in the careers and lives of all members of his family and reveled in their accomplishments. Services will be held at a later date. It is requested that in lieu of flowers, a donation be made in his name to the Honor Flight of West Central Florida www.honorflightwcf.org.