Rick Briggs, former president of Mine Mill Local 598 in Sudbury, died earlier this month.
Briggs, 72, passed away with his son by his side Oct. 7 at Health Sciences North, according to his obituary.
He was born in Sussex, N.B., and served as Mine Mill president from 1984-1995. Briggs had two children — Christopher Briggs and Tresha Briggs-Nash, and six grandchildren.
“His life story reads of an eager young man who began his career as a miner with Falconbridge and worked his way up to be the long-time president of Mine Mill Union Local 598, a position he held dearly and took great pride in,” he obit says.
“This journey began as a union organizer and representative and ended years later with a tremendous legacy of someone who worked tirelessly as a union leader, tradesman, and an activist who fought for his workers and their rights.”
After he retired from Falconbridge, Briggs worked with the Ontario government at the Workplace Safety and Insurance Appeals Tribunal.
“He will be sadly missed by all who knew him and will be remembered as a respected and dedicated union president,” the obit says.
A service celebrating his life will be held at a later date in New Brunswick.
