Tribute to Frank Briggs

Born to Alice and William Briggs in Darwen Lancashire, in 1920, Frank attended Darwen Grammar School.

He started work in the Treasurer’s Office at Darwen Town Hall before he married Mary in March 1946. The couple soon moved across the Pennines to Morley so that Frank could take up his new role in the treasurer’s office at Morley Town Hall.

Daughter Janet came along in 1949 and Stephen followed in 1952. The family worshipped at St Mary’s i’th’ Wood Congregational Church in Morley, where Frank was church treasurer.

In 1960 Frank became the Borough Treasurer of Dewsbury and moved to Reservoir Street. During this period he was also honourable Treasurer for the Dewsbury Association for the Blind and the Water Board.

He was also actively involved in the organisation of the Christian Aid charity mini-walk every May – a major event in Dewsbury for many years.

Frank was soon a church elder and an active member of the Longcauseway Church in Dewsbury. He was church treasurer for 35 years and leader of a house group. Frank was also treasurer for Dewsbury Council until Kirklees Metropolitan Council was created in 1974.

Unfortunately ill health at the time stopped him from continuing his local government career and he took early retirement.

However, a few months later Frank was back in the saddle, working for the government again as chief financial officer for the Housing Corporation in Yorkshire, before he finally retired in 1980.

Frank enjoyed reading and studying French and German. He also took a keen interest in books about the Bible.

Frank and Mary lived in Reservoir Street for more than 50 years before they moved to Royd Court in Mirfield 18 months ago.

His son, Steve, said: “Frank was a very caring, kind and generous man in lots of ways. He would do anything for anyone. He was a much loved husband, uncle, father and grandfather.”

Frank’s funeral will be held at Longcauseway Church in Dewsbury on Thursday March 3 at 1.30pm.