2023 is the year for consistency for me – consistency in my home life, my work life and in my blog life!  My commitment is to do at least one blog post a month and work up to two by mid-year. So, keeping that in mind, here is the next entry for Who Shares Your Birthday!

For all the Who Shares Your Birthday blog posts, they have been ancestors. This time, I decided to focus on someone that is still in our presence and always makes himself known when he is in your presence – my dad, Grant Irving Briggs.

The reason I decided to do this is two-fold: first, because it’s been 3 years since his open-heart surgery, and we are so thankful it was done so he’s still making his “jokes”; second, because I really could not find an ancestor interesting enough to make themselves known (really, there wasn’t anyone with a birthday in February!).

I should also mention, we do have another family member in our midst with a birthday in February – Happy Birthday to Bradley!

Now, let’s get to know my dad. Grant Irving Briggs (Dad) was born February 6, 1940, in New Westminster, BC to Stanley Leonard Briggs and Irene Stella Hartford Matthew (Grandma & Grandpa).

At the time of Dad’s birth, Grandma and Grandpa made their home at one of two addresses: 1716 London Street, New Westminster or 1591 16^th Avenue, Burnaby, BC. The reason why I say this is the 1939 City Directory for Stanley Briggs listed the first address, the 1940 City Directory listed the second address. Sometime between the two City Directories (not sure when the information was collected and when the City Directory was produced), they had moved.

Dad has two siblings. His sister, Irene “Evelyn” was born in 1943, and his brother, Stanley “Richard” was born in 1944.

Dad started Grade 1 at Stride Avenue Elementary School. According to Dad, they moved sometime during that year (about halfway through the school year) to 830 Henley Street, New Westminster, and then he went to Lord Kelvin Elementary School in New Westminster. He then went to Vincent Massey Junior High School and Lester Pearson High School where he graduated in 1957.

After Dad graduated from high school, he continued his education going to the School of Psychiatric Nursing at Essondale.

Grant’s first daughter, Cristine Godwin, was born January 29, 1959. Cris was given up for adoption to wonderful parents at that time. Fortunately, for our family, she reached out to Dad after her adoptive parents had passed away. We are so blessed to have her and her family in our lives!

In 1960, he moved to 11705 – 72^nd Avenue, Nth Delta with his parents.  Grandma and Grandpa still owned the house on Henley Street as a rental property.

Dad graduated from the Psychiatric Nursing program March 1961:

During the summer of 1960, Dad met my mother, Jeannette Marguerite Marie Gobin. They married June 30, 1962.

Dad did start his professional career in psychiatric nursing but felt there was such an influx of female nurses into psychiatric nursing that he would not be able to progress as he had hoped. They had a visit from their life insurance agent that began the start of his new career in life insurance. It didn’t last very long as he did not feel right about trying to sell insurance to people that may not be able to afford it. So, he had a relative that was a truck driver and so as they say, the rest is history! Dad was a truck driver until he retired from Aggressive Transport as an owner-operator. In his own words, it was the best decision he made!

Mom and Dad made their homes in many places until they finally settled with their young family in Port Coquitlam, BC. They had three children:  Veronica (Vicky), Ronald and Shawn.

One of the things I can remember about Dad as I was growing up, is he was a hard-working husband and father, having hardly ever missed a day of work. He did have a couple of times when he was sidelined from work, and it really did drive him nuts as he loved to keep busy. He still does to this day.

Having open heart surgery in November 2019, the recuperation was hard for Dad. He just wanted to get outside and continue with the day-to-day activities he was doing before surgery. It took a while to recover, however he is still out and about puttering around.

Dad is an aspiring musician and I say that light heartedly! He has an ear for music which is something I wish I had been able to pick up. There was always music in the house (much to Mom’s chagrin!) for as long as I can remember. He plays the piano, guitar and steel guitar (and probably some others!), and still practices the guitar daily.

Mom and Dad have made their home in 100 Mile House having moved there several years ago. Just this past year, they celebrated their 60^th wedding anniversary. First picture is from their 25th wedding anniversary:

I hope you have gotten to know my dad a little bit more. Trust me, he is quite the character and loves to show it!

Please help me in wishing my dad a Happy 83^rd Birthday! Hoping to go visit Mom and Dad soon so I can wish him a happy birthday personally.

Have a great week everyone – take care and be safe!