Obituary

William R. Briggs TRENTON – William Russell “Irish Billy” Briggs, 56, died Sunday at Compassionate Care Hospice at St. Francis Medical Center in Trenton. Born in Camden, he had lived most of his life in the Bordentown-Trenton area. He was a graduate of Bordentown Regional High School and was an Irish Pub owner of “Tir Na Nog” in Trenton. He dedicated his life to the cause of Irish freedom and was a naturalized Irish citizen. He was the founder of the Luke Dillon Division of Irish Northern Aid. Billy received many awards from local and Irish organizations, being most proud of the Irish Patriot Award which was presented by the VP of Sinn Fein- Pat Doherty. He was also one of the founders of the Trenton St. Patrick’s Day Parade. He is survived by his loving Irish wife Margaret O’Donnell-Briggs; twin daughters, Ellen O’Donnell-Briggs and Mairead O’Donnell-Briggs; his parents, Russell Briggs and Francis Briggs (nee Kelly) of Sea Isle City; three sisters and brothers-in-law, Susan and Donald Hurff of Sea Isle City, Colleen and Joseph III Mercantini of South Carolina and Patricia Briggs of Rockaway Beach, NY; and a brother, Timothy Briggs and partner Keith Cooper of New York City. Predeceased by two brothers, Thomas and Terence, he is also survived by several nieces and nephews and a grandnephew; his father and mother-in-law Pat and Monica O’Donnell of Tipperary; sisters-in-law Ellen Holden and Rosarii O’Donnell-Connorton and their families; and his brother-in-law Joseph O’Donnell of Ireland. He is also survived by his “Bro’s” and dear friends. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 11 a.m. Friday at St. Mary’s Church, 45 Crosswicks St., Bordentown. Interment will be in Sacred Heart Cemetery, Fethard & Killusty, Tipperary, Ireland. Friends may call from 2 p.m. to 2 a.m. Thursday at the “Tir Na Nog” Irish Pub, 1324 Hamilton Ave., Trenton. Memorial contributions may be made to Compassionate Care Hospice at St. Francis. No flowers, please plant a tree/flowers in his memory. Arrangements are under the direction of Peppler Funeral Home, Bordentown