Obituary of Robert Briggs

Bob passed away peacefully, Feb 22, 2021, at home after a long illness, surrounded by his family. Bob is survived by his wife Patricia{Hickling} of sixty years and his children, Kathy King (Matt), Debbie (Steve), Andrew,Natalie and Carolyn, as well as grandchildren, Nathan, Taylor, Jessica, Mitchell, Emily, Lauren, Kyle, Tyler and Andrew and great grandchildren Bennit, Nolan and Briggs, and his younger brother David (Irene). Predeceased by his mother, Persida, father Arthur and brother Art. Bob was born on July 30, 1930 in Welland, Ontario. He completed an undergraduate and medical degree at McGill University and then a Psychiatry specialty at Toronto University Hospital. After earning a travelling fellowship that allowed him to study under Jean Piaget in Switzerland he came to Kingston to practice and teach at Queens University and KGH. He believed therapy should be family focused. He developed the Child and Family Clinic as well as an inpatient pediatric psychiatry unit. He also consulted with CAS, the school board, and the juvenile and family courts. His joy was clinical practice so in 1980 he moved to Victoria BC to practice as a community clinician as well as consulting with the ministry to develop child and adolescent mental health services and to the Youth forensic court as a consultant. His passion was working with teens. His life’s work was focused on trying to help anxious, confused, disturbed teens to try to successfully wend their way through their adolescence to a happier more settled adult life – a journey he had discovered was possible and wanted others to discover too. Bob was a proud family man. He got joy from watching his children and grandchildren grow and move forward successfully. He was a committed community member, volunteering many hours to various associations earning citizen of the year. He was generous with his time, kind and respected by his colleagues. In his words, “I loved my work and thrived in it”. “I love my wife and thrived in our marriage, being with her made me feel whole”. The family would like to extend a special thank you to Bob’s palliative nurse, Gabrielle. In lieu of flowers, donations would be welcomed by the Kingston Youth Shelter or a charity of your choice. A celebration of life will be held in the future. Arrangements entrusted to CATARAQUI CEMETERY AND FUNERAL SERVICES.