Gary George Briggs

GARY GEORGE BRIGGS

Inspector (Retired)

June 26, 1940 – November 1, 2025

Years of Service: 1961-1991

Postings: “K” (Alberta), HQ (Ottawa), “D” (Manitoba), “E” (British Columbia)

Gary George Briggs passed away peacefully at the age of 85 on November 1, 2025, at Parkview in Vancouver – across the street from the former RCMP Fairmont Barracks where he joined the RCMP in 1961.

Gary is survived by Deana, his wife of 56 years, daughter Joanna (Don), brother Gordon, and brother-in-law Dennis (Janet). He was predeceased by his mother Lily, father William, and stepfather Bill. Also survived by his many cousins in the Miller family.

Born in Vancouver, Gary grew up with his mother, grandparents, aunts, and uncles in South Vancouver. In 1947, Gary and his family moved to the Capilano Highlands in North Vancouver. There, he grew up into a “rowdy” teenager and gained a lifelong appreciation of the White Spot. He graduated from Delbrook High School.

In 1961, Gary was soon on the train to Regina/Depot after joining the RCMP. On that train ride, he met fellow cadets who became life-long friends. During Gary’s 30-year career with the RCMP, he went from policing rural communities in Alberta to managing computer and communication systems. In 1970, he joined the initial team that developed CPIC (Canadian Police Information Centre). CPIC remains the primary information system for every law enforcement agency in Canada. Gary was Commissioned and promoted to Inspector in 1981 while posted to Headquarters. In 1985, he was transferred back home to Vancouver and retired as Officer In Charge of Communications Services for “E” Division.

After retiring from the RCMP in 1991, Gary continued working as a consultant on a variety of projects related to emergency communications and police records management. Gary was proud to represent the RCMP at E-Comm, a centre that consolidated police, fire and ambulance emergency communications in Greater Vancouver. He was on E-Comm’s Board of Directors for 11 years. Gary also contributed to PRIME-BC (Police Records and Information Management Environment) which launched in 2003.

In actual retirement after working for and with the RCMP for over 45 years, Gary stayed active with the Parkgate Cardiac Rehab exercise group in North Vancouver and later with New Roots in Vancouver. Gary and Deana traveled to many countries around the world. They were regulars walking hand-in-hand on the seawall closer to home.

A celebration of life officiated by RCMP Chaplain Bill Ashbee will be held at Boal Chapel, 1505 Lillooet Road, North Vancouver on Saturday, November 29, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. and streamed online for Gary’s many relatives and friends scattered across Canada. Please visit https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/12593228 for online condolences and information on access to the streaming service. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alzheimer Society.