Ernest R. “Ernie” Briand, 80, of Nashua, a well-known retired funeral director and embalmer, passed away Saturday morning, January 30, 2016 at the Community Hospice House in Merrimack, after a brief period of declining health.
A lifelong resident of this city, Ernie was born in Nashua on July 6, 1935, one of twelve children of the late Victor J. and Delia Blanche (Nault) Briand. He attended Infant Jesus Parochial School and Nashua public schools. He later furthered his education at New England Institute of Anatomy, Sanitary Science, Embalming and Funeral Directing in Boston, graduating in 1974.
Ernie was employed as an upholsterer with the former Indian Head Casket Company in Nashua for 14 years. In April 1962, he began working part-time at the Farwell Funeral Service, Inc. and then full time from January 1967 until his retirement in December 2014. In his 52 years at Farwell’s, Ernie felt privileged to serve the residents of Nashua and the surrounding communities. His loyalty and dedication to the many families in their time of need was well known.
A communicant of St. Christopher Church for many years, Ernie served as a Eucharistic Minister for over twenty years and was a member of the Knights of Columbus, Council 11907. He also held memberships in Saint Anthony’s Fraternity Secular Franciscan Order for over 50 years; and the National Funeral Directors Association.
In addition to his parents, Ernie was predeceased by a brother, George V. Briand; and three sisters and two brothers-in-law, Rita N. Briand, Mary Anne and Fernand A. Cloutier and Doris S. and Normand S. Gagnon; brother-in-law, Arthur C. Faria Jr.; and sister-in-law, Judith H. Briand.
Members of his family include four brothers, Robert A. Briand and his wife Janet of Nashua, Edward T. Briand and his wife Beverly of Bow, Raymond M. Briand of Nashua and Paul D. Briand of Merrimack; three sisters, Antoinette D. “Toni” Faria of Hollis, Eva A. and Leon Mack of Culpeper, VA, and Dorothy G. Laderoute of Virginia Beach, VA; a sister-in-law, Muriel “Joey” Briand widow of George of Melbourne, FL; also many nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews and cousins.
Calling hours will be held at the FARWELL FUNERAL HOME, 18 Lock Street, Nashua on Thursday from 3 to 7 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in St. Christopher Church, 62 Manchester Street, Nashua, Friday morning at 11 a.m. Interment will follow in St. Francis Xavier Cemetery. Friends are invited to attend and will gather at the church. Donations may be made in his memory to Corpus Christi Food Pantry, 43 Franklin Street, Nashua, NH 03064; New Hampshire Food Bank, 700 E. Industrial Park Drive, Manchester, NH 03109 or the Community Hospice House, 7 Executive Park Drive, Merrimack, NH 03054. Arrangements are in the care of the FARWELL FUNERAL SERVICE. (603) 882-0591. www.farwellfuneral.com
