Thomas BRISCOE

Adjust Text Size: A+ A-

BRISCOE: Thomas Cooper Briscoe was born December 1, 1931 at Wigton, Cumbria, England to Curiven and Jane Briscoe. Following a long battle with lung disease he passed away at Minnedosa Hospital, March 25, 2011 with Dorothy and Bruce at his side. As a lad Tom loved everything about the farm, especially the animals. He left school at an early age to become a farm worker. One of his proud accomplishments during this time was winning the plowing competition. In later years he became a lorry driver and traveled the length and breadth of the U.K. Tom came to Canada in October 1984 on a cold and snowy day. One of his first stops was to buy some long underwear. Here he joined Dorothy on the Curle family farm. Although farming methods were a little different than in England, he quickly became an active participant in the farm life. One of the problems he encountered was that someone kept putting the steering wheel on the wrong side of the vehicles. Tom and Dorothy were married December 20, 1986. They shared a love of farm life, raising and showing Simmental cattle. Many happy hours were spent tending to their yard and garden. Love of travel led them to travel across Canada from Vancouver Island to Cape Breton Island. There were also cruises to the Caribbean and to Alaska. Over the years there were several trips to the U.K. to visit family and friends. Tom took up the sport of curling after coming to Canada but his favorite recreation was dancing. Tom and Dororthy traveled many miles to old time dances. While they enjoyed a rousing polka or a quick step, the old time waltz was definitely the favorite. They began to go camping several years ago and visited many places in their R.V. The past four years were spent at Oak Lake, where Tom could be seen motoring around the campground on his scooter. He loved the freedom this gave him and thoroughly enjoyed checking out the campground and stopping in for many a “good crack” on his rounds. He was usually one of the first to arrive at the evening campfire and was known to tell the occasional story. Tom took great interest in following the lives of his children and grandchildren on both sides of the ocean. He was so proud of the people they had become and of the potential in the grandchildren. Tom became a member of the Prince of Wales Masonic Lodge, serving as master for one term and as a member of Grand Lodge for one year. The fellowship of the members was an important part of his life. Tom is survived by his wife Dorothy, his children in England: Jeffrey, Michael (Lynn), Carol (John), Steven (Rose), Andrew (Lynn) and Allison, 10 grandchildren and 1 great grandchild and his Canadian step children, Lynne, Leonard (Monica), Brenda (Larry), Bruce (Rhonda) and nine step-grandchildren. He is also survived by a brother Bill (Doreen) and a sister Ann (Edward) in England. At Tom’s request a private graveside service was held April 18th in Minnedosa, with Elgin Hall officiating. His daughter Carol and son Michael were urn- bearers. A memorial tea was held at the 50+ Centre in Minnedosa. Charitable donations may be made to the Palliative Care Unit at Minnedosa Hospital or to a charity of choice. Minnedosa Funeral Service was in charge of arrangements.

As published in Brandon Sun on Apr 23, 2011