Lt. Brierly

Lt. Richard Brierly USCG (ret.) and age 52, from Moorhead and formerly from rural, Fosston, MN passed away at his home in Moorhead on Friday, February 15th after succumbing from a long illness. Memorial services will be held on Monday, February 25th at 11:00 AM at Vernes Lutheran Church, rural McIntosh, MN with Rev. Aage Carlsen officiating. Interment of cremains will be at Vernes Lutheran Cemetery and there will also be an official military burial at sea at a later date. Full Military Honors will be rendered by the United States Coast Guard of Duluth and the Grand Forks Air Force Base Honor Guard. The Carlin-Hoialmen Funeral Home of Fosston is in charge of the arrangements. Online guestbook is available at www.carlinhoialmen.com.Richard Mark Brierly was born on March 26 1955 in Amityville, New York to parents John and Barbara (Baker) Brierly. He grew up in Massapequa, NY and graduated from W.T. Clarke in East Meadow, NY in 1973. Following high school, he attended Nathanial Hawthorn College and graduated with a Bachelors of Science Degree in Business and Aviation. Richard entered the United States Air Force and after being stationed at Portsmouth Air Force Base in Nashua, NH he was offered a commission to the United States Coast Guard in September 1977 and was stationed in Washington DC. He was united in marriage to Cynthia Cecile Davidson on August 20, 1977. Richard received a Medical discharge from the United States Coast Guard in 1992 and he and Cynthia moved to Orlando, FL for a short time where he worked for Walt Disney Company. Richard then moved to Fosston, MN where he worked for R & L Ride Service from 1993 to 2007 when he moved to Moorhead, MN.He was a member of Vernes Lutheran Church, rural McIntosh, MN. Richard enjoyed spending time with his friends and family and lending a helping hand to anyone. He obtained his commercial flying license and he enjoyed flying while his health permitted him to do so. When he had to stop flying he enjoyed playing Flight Simulator to help him keep his knowledge of flying current. Richard also enjoyed music very much. He enjoyed composing and playing the piano and organ. Also while in high school he had the opportunity to study with the Boston Symphony Summer Youth Program. Where he played the Trombone and Bass Trombone.On Friday, February 15, 2008 Lt. Richard Brierly USCG (ret.) passed away at his home in Moorhead after succumbing from a long illness at the age of 52 years.He is survived by his wife of 30 years, Cynthia of Fosston, MN; two sons, Richard Jr (Kris Kinnear) Brierly and grandson, Brandon of Burson, CA and Robert (fiancé Renae Witt) Brierly of Moorhead MN. Also survived by his father John H. (stepmother Jeanne) Brierly of Blue Bell, PA; brother, John (Margaret) Brierly of West Islip, NY; cousin, David (Mary) Brierly of Cordova, MD; and numerous nieces, nephews and other cousins. He was preceded in death by his mother, Barbara Louise (Baker) Brierly; and his grandparents, Harry Baker and Louise Baker and John H. Brierly, Sr. and Mary Brierly.Honorary pallbearers are sons, Richard and Robert Brierly and brother, John Brierly.