Terry Briggs

Terrence James Briggs, father to Emma and Jasper, husband to Sarah, and brother to Susan, died on November 18th, 2023 in Basel, Switzerland, fulfilling his long held desire for autonomy in life and death. In addition to his broken-hearted family members, Terry also leaves behind an extraordinary number of people with whom he had deep friendships. Terry lived many lives in his 79 years, resided in many places and had multiple fulfilling careers. Terry's last professional act was as a successful attorney, a career he embarked on in his fifties.

Terry, as the saying goes, never met a stranger. He was always interested. Interested in goings-on in his beloved Hardwick, Mass, interested in what you were saying, interested in what you were doing. He paid attention to the world, and he enjoyed it. He read broadly and deeply. He loved a good cocktail. He loved a random drive, and oddly, he loved doing the dishes. Terry lived a big life, but he liked the little moments, and he liked you to be a part of them.

Terry was born in Cambridge, New York, where his father's family had lived since the mid-eighteenth century. He attended Colgate University for a year. Eight "Ds", one "A" and one "B" later, he temporarily abandoned formal education. In 1963, Terry moved to Boston, with no contacts, no job, and no plans. In the autumn of that year, he found himself out of money, standing in front of the military recruiting offices at South Station. He chose the Airforce, a decision he made primarily based on a desire to avoid getting dirty in the Army or having to wear sailor's breeches. He attended basic training in Texas, where he scored so well on a language aptitude test that within a matter of weeks he was sent to Yale University to study Chinese.

Terry's time in the service fell during a period of relative peace, between the Korean and Vietnam war years, and he enjoyed the experience. He was stationed first in Texas and later in Okinawa, Japan, and Bangor, Maine, during which time he translated intercepted Chinese communications.

Upon leaving the service, he attended Columbia university, where he finished his degree, and worked for a time on Robert Kennedy's presidential campaign. After graduation, Terry headed to Plymouth, New Hampshire, where he improbably landed a job as "the reporter" at the local newspaper. An impromptu introduction to the Governor's Press Secretary led to a youth affairs role in the Governor's office.

By the early 1970s, Terry found himself in Boston, where he worked for the Mayor's office, and later the state of Massachusetts, focusing on human services, helping to establish some of the first government services for people with substance use disorders. Life took him next to Harvard Business School, which he applied to because, "Why not?" That question was answered by Thanksgiving of the same year, when he determined that, despite it being a wonderful place, it was not the place for him.

Terry returned to human services, which took him to Washington state, where he led a state wide cataloging of historical materials in honor of the bicentennial. In the mid 1970s Terry returned to Boston to work for the MBTA, and then on to a twenty year stint co-owning and running a home goods store in Bridgton, Maine, during which time he also graduated from Boston College Law School.

Terry met Sarah Marcus in 1999, in Portland, Maine. Neighbors for a few months, Sarah contrived to "lose control" of her dog, Rosie, one day to spark an introduction. They were married not long after, lived for a time in Boston, and then settled in Hardwick, where they gave birth to and raised twins, Emma and Jasper. Terry was a wonderful and attentive father and husband, always choosing to be in the company of his family if that was an option (although endlessly eager to add friends, old or new, to the mix). He adored Emma and Jasper, delighted in them always, and was profoundly proud of them.

Terry and Sarah cultivated many cherished friendships in Hardwick. Terry enjoyed other people's company and they enjoyed his. He was often the life of the party, never settling for just funny when he could take things to the next level--a trademark of his sense of humor.

Terry loved Hardwick. He always said that when he rounded the corner into town on his way home from work it felt like he was going on vacation. This was not a comment on his job, which he very much enjoyed, but rather an expression of his devotion to Hardwick--a place he never tired of. He also treasured time spent in mid-coast Maine, especially vacations on the islands of the Penobscot Bay.

Terry was committed to the East Quabbin Land Trust, and was a member of the Board for many years. He served as the president of the board of directors at The Center for Living and Working, a role which made him very proud. He retired from Bowditch and Dewey, a law firm in Worcester, Massachusetts, in 2022, ending an extraordinarily varied and adventurous career. In retirement, he was surprised to discover how much he liked to spend time with his cats and dog, who doted on him as much as he doted on them.

In 2023, Terry was diagnosed with Alzheimer's Disease, for which there is no cure. In November, he chose to travel to Switzerland and receive life-ending care, a choice that he vehemently wished was available to everyone, not just those with means. He died like he lived life, on his own terms, surrounded by friends and family.

A memorial service is planned for Spring of 2024.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the East Quabbin Land Trust, PO Box 5, Hardwick, MA 01037, or A Final Exit Network, which is a Medical Aid in Dying advocacy organization, PO Box 10071, Tallahassee, FL 32302