Robert A. Briski

On July 10th, my father passed away after a year long struggle with an aggressive form of lymphoma.  I have personally never seen a person face the disease and pain with such bravery and dignity as my father.

Robert (Bob) A. Briski, of Whitehouse Station, NJ; died Monday, July 10, 2006. He was born in Scranton, PA. Bob had lived in Franklin Twp. before moving to Whitehouse Station 35 years ago. He attended high school at South Scranton Catholic and graduated from St. Peters in New Brunswick. He graduated from Seton Hall University  with a degree in Finance and Business Administration. He also received a Masters Degree in Administration and Supervision from Seton Hall.  In addition, Bob attended Fordham University while working on his Doctorate.

He was certified as a teacher of Kindergarten through 12th grade and also as a principal. He taught School at St. Peter’s High School, New Brunswick; St. Cecilia’s in Iselin; Locust School in Roselle and Immaculata High School in Somerville. Bob was a Principal at Leonard V. Moore (formerly Locust School) for 14 years. Presently he was the Assistant Dean of Student Affairs at Immaculata High School in Somerville.

Bob was a member of Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Whitehouse Station for 35 years and served as an usher for many years. He was a member of the New Jersey Principal and Superintendents Association., The National Association. of Elementary School Principals and served as President of the Roselle Administrators Association. He was a 4th Degree Knight of Columbus and a member of Council 6930 in Whitehouse Station and a former member of Council 1432 in Somerville. He served on the Union County Chamber of Commerce Educational Committee, the Union County Science and Alliance Steering Committee and the Narcotics Commission. Bob belonged to the Polish American Citizens Club in Whitehouse Station, the Somerville Elks, the Seraphic Mass Assoc. and Deborah’s Bound Brook Chapter.

He is survived by his wife of over 42 years, Carol and his son Michael.

Below is the eulogy that I wrote and delivered at his funeral mass:

Several years ago I was asked, “If you could close your eyes and picture your father, how would you picture him?”  One image immediately comes to mind and that is of my father standing on the top row of the bleachers with a coffee cup in hand.   Whether I was playing football or baseball, I can turn and look into the stands and always find him there.  He was always there.   

I remember my first football game as a freshman at Hunterdon Central.  The freshman played on the practice field.  By September it was already a dustbowl.  We had a whopping home crowd of 9 that day.  My father was one of them.  I remember by half time it started to rain.  Our home crowd dwindled to just 3 or 4.  My father was still there, standing in the rain, watching a bunch of freshman slosh around in the mud.   

He was always there.  He was there for his wife, his family, and his students.  He was the foundation for us all as a husband, as a father, as a mentor.  He always made time; he always cared. 

Whether I was living at home, abroad in a foreign country, or even now in California, there was a comfort inside of me knowing he was there for us.   

Not much unlike our Heavenly Father, never seen, but always there. 

Most know my father as a teacher, a principal, or a coach. It was his love of children though that brought him to teaching.  He reveled in teaching children and enjoyed them immensely.  At night he would regale my mother and I about the fun he had with his students.  Sometimes we would laugh until our side’s hurt.    

He believed in his students.  He believed in the child.   He wanted them to strive to be their best.  He cared deeply about those that entered his life and loved joking with them in the hallways.  

My father believed no child should ever be left out.  When he was an assistant coach during little league, every child played every game, regardless of skill, or regardless of how close the score.  Kids never had more fun. 

My father cherished my mother and guided his son. He embraced life and those around him. He did it with a smile, with a little humor, but always with strength and dignity.

One of my favorite quotes is by William Faulkner, as he accepted the Nobel Prize for literature.

“I believe that man will not merely endure: he will prevail. He is immortal, not because he alone among creatures has an inexhaustible voice, but because he has a soul, a spirit capable of compassion and sacrifice and endurance."

 ....And so shall my father.