Bartolome Resurreccion Briones

Bart was born in Batangas, Philippines on August 24, 1943, to his father Amado Q. Briones and his mother Milagros R. Briones. The oldest of eight siblings; Sony, Amading, Dan, Ed, Ron, Milette, and Mayet. Bart was determined to make a better life for his family so at age 19 in 1963 he set out to join the United States Navy, raise his right hand and support and defend the constitution of the United States of America with Honor, Courage, and Commitment. During his time in the Military Bart did many things such as traveling the world, amassing many new friends, but none were more important than meeting the love of his life Emily whom he married in 1971, having three sons, and making life better for his family and siblings.

After his 20-year enlistment with the U.S. Navy Bart, Emily and his three sons settled in San Diego where he continued to another successful 20-year career. This time with the United States Postal Service where he amassed more accolades, friends, and memories. This time though, he could watch his sons grow up without the call to duty that took him away many times during his military career.

Bart was a devout Catholic/Christian. During his life he attended church every Sunday until his health prevented him from doing so. Even then that did not sway him from his commitment to God and Jesus Christ because he set much of his time aside every day for prayer and reflection. He was also a living testament to what it meant to love God and country. He raised his children the way he was raised and incorporated it with the training he received in military. He believed that if anything good or bad happened in life then it was by the hand of God, and that God had set it in place for a reason. On occasion he would say “God cannot help you if you cannot help yourself too”.

As a person Bart was very outgoing and never passed on a gathering or an opportunity to make small conversation with strangers for this is how he amassed so many friends and acquaintances. One could also say he was the “life of the party” or a master of the “ice breaker” and could never resist telling a small limerick or joke to ease conversation or make those around him laugh. Bart attended many gatherings and no matter how many times he told a joke it was as funny as the first time he told it because this was one of the reasons many gathered with him.

If there is anything that we could learn from the life of Bartolome, it should be that Prayer, a loving relationship with God, family, friends, and laughter are the most important things to have a happy fulfilling life.

Bartolome was preceded in death by his parents and by his brother Amading Briones. He is survived by his wife Emily Abitang Briones; children Bryan Briones, Erik Briones, and Peter Briones; grandchildren Jovannah Briones Lopez, Aralee Menguito Briones, and Declan Menguito Briones; and great-granddaughter Kaia Briones Lopez.