Geoffrey Carl Briefs

Geoffrey was born in Germany in 1949 to Angela and Godfrey Briefs. After immigrating to the US, he grew up in the suburbs of Detroit, in the presence of the automotive industry. His father, Godfrey, earned his PhD in Economics from Harvard and worked as an economist for General Motors. And his mother, Angela Briefs, had a Doctorate of Bacteriology and taught German at Wayne State University.

Geoffrey grew up on Kirkway Road in Bloomfield MI, and attended the Catholic institution, Brother Rice High School. He remained a devout Catholic all his life. Geoff earned his Bachelor’s degree from Albion College, and completed a Masters in Business at the University of Indiana, Bloomington.

Geoff pursued a career in medical device sales, living and working in Northern California and Colorado. He adored motorcycles and thought the height of joy was taking his bike down the California coast, or riding over the Golden Gate bridge at night. In California, he also found another great love - the delight of a perfect Caesar salad. He developed his own recipe, and  made it religiously. According to Geoff, the secret to that, and to all things culinary, was a hefty amount of garlic.

Later in his career he lived in Munich Germany, and then in New Hampshire, where he raised his two daughters, Katherine and Alexandra. He became a father at 42 and 46 and never lost his own childlike sense of wonder. He took his daughters to walk the tide pools at the beach, and brought them to the Boston aquarium to see the penguins and sea creatures.

Geoff moved to Boyne City, Michigan in 2009  at the age of 60. He loved being back in Michigan, as it allowed him to be closer to his younger sister, Andrea Ferris, and her husband, David. In Boyne he adopted two dogs and two cats, and spent his days enjoying the perfect view of Lake Charlevoix. While here, he made great friends, spent time at the FOE (Fraternal Order of the Eagles), and rode his bike around the lake.

Geoffrey endured a long battle with cancer, and endured the complications of growing old with grace. In his later years, he was very much supported by his younger sister, Andrea. Geoffrey Briefs died on March 12th 2023 and leaves behind his two daughters, Katherine Briefs and Alexandra Briefs, and his sister, Andrea Ferris. He also leaves behind his two cats, Trouble and Lysel, and his beloved German Shepherd, Midnight. A mass will be held to celebrate his life on Saturday, March 25th, at 11 am at St Matthew’s in Boyne City.

Arrangements are in the care of Stackus Funeral Home. 

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