John W. Briggs WINTHROP - John W. Briggs passed from this life on Thursday October 12, 2017 at Central Maine Medical Center after a short illness, surrounded by family. John was born in Augusta, Maine on August 3, 1928, the fifth child of Henry and Mary(May) Morse Briggs. He attended Lincoln School and Cony High School, after which he served in the Navy during WWII. He was a graduate of Univ. of Maine and taught high school history before working for the family automobile dealership in Waterville and Augusta. He became a State of Maine historian for the Bureau of Parks and Recreation and was instrumental in making it possible for many Maine sites to be on the National Register of Historic Places. John was pre-deceased by his parents, brothers George and Robert, sisters Ruth, Janet and Mary. He is survived by his brother Bill, wife of 56 years Janet, daughter Ellen, and grandson Michael. He is also survived by the 53 nieces and nephews who affectionately knew him as 'Uncle John', along with many grand nieces and nephews. John enjoyed many happy years on Upper Richardson Lake. He had many wonderful friends, relatives and acquaintances that he desired to acknowledge and thank for being in his life. Visiting hours will be Wednesday October 18, 2017 at Knowlton Hewins Funeral Home, One Church Street, Augusta from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon, followed by a graveside service at the Forest Grove Cemetery. Memories, condolences, photos, and videos may be shared with the family on the obituary page of our website at www.khrfuneralhomes.com