Cover photo for Pedro Briones's Obituary
Pedro Briones Profile Photo
1925 Pedro 2009

Pedro Briones

January 5, 1925 — October 25, 2009

BRIONES, PEDRO

Pedro Briones, faithful and grateful servant of the Lord, was welcomed home on Sunday, October 25, 2009.
Pedro was born January 5, 1925 in Santiago, Chile. As an orphan Pedro was forced at a young age to use his survival instincts to support himself. Although he was dealt an unfair hand as a child, against the odds, he would forge ahead and accomplish so many incredible things in his life.
Pedro married Juana Duran Valdebenito in 1955 and they would raise six children. While in Chile, Pedro worked for the government, served as an established accountant for Pfizer Pharmaceutical and was a representative for a publishing company based out of El Paso, TX. He was an active member of his church which included roles as teacher and treasurer and played goalie for a number of different soccer teams.
In 1970, Pedro came to the United States and would eventually welcome all of his children to the U.S. In 1971, Pedro would marry Sandra Fern Hale and would celebrate the addition of two children to their family. From the first day that Pedro arrived in the United States, he was committed to praising his God, working hard and providing for his family. Upon arriving in the U.S., Pedro would work for a local bakery and for Stokely Van Camp's until 1972 when he opened and worked tirelessly at his own plaster shop which he named The Plaster Place. In 1978, he would say goodbye to his loyal customers to begin a new career with Kimberly-Clark. He would remain employed with KC until his retirement in 1990.
Pedro was a long time member of Valley Baptist Church where he would serve as a Deacon and was an active participant in Sunday school where he enjoyed the fellowship of so many friends. One of Pedro's greatest accomplishments was becoming a United States citizen in 1977. Pedro was one of the pioneers in developing a soccer program in the Fox Valley. He was an integral force inspiring youth to participate in soccer which included the introduction of a soccer program at Boys' Sports. He was also a long time member of the Masons.
Once retired, Pedro sat very little and only further committed his time to so many of his personal interests. Pedro was a soccer coach at St. Mary Central and Menasha High Schools for several years where he not only coached but served as a mentor to so many young athletes. He was a supporter of Latino Link where he was a strong advocate for the Latino youth population through the scholarship program. Pedro and Sandi would enjoy spending their time together traveling for months at a time in their motor home. They would make many wonderful friends along the way often identifying Mexico as their final destination. It was in Mexico that they would offer basic Spanish lessons to English speaking friends to assist them as they tried to adjust to being in a different country. It was also during these travels that Pedro would plan well in advance to pack donated soccer uniforms, bicycles, clothing, toys and other goods to distribute to underprivileged children.
Pedro would come out of retirement in 1994 to work as a para professional with the Menasha School District. There he would serve as an aid and mentor to so many non English speaking students. His involvement there would exceed helping in the classroom. He would volunteer his time to assisting families with translation services or in directing them to appropriate community resources and would do this until such time that his health would no longer allow.
This is how Pedro lived his life. Always giving to others. He was an advocate for so many and friend to all that he met along the way.
Pedro is survived by his children Pedro H. Jr. (Olga) Briones; Juana Elizabeth (Jerry) Morrow; Ernesto R. (Melissa) Briones; Ana Lina S. (Blake Lillicrap) Briones; Victor G. (Rene) Briones; Peter W. (Kari Hawkinson) Briones; and Eliana D. Briones. He is further survived by grandchildren Romina (Sam) Hiti; Michael (April) Morrow; Rev. Jonnathan (Angela) Morrow; Jessica (Josh) Ferrell and Damaris (fiancée Kristian Carlson), Betsabe, Vanessa, Derrick, Alex, Nicholas, Brandon, Risa, Kenzie, Connor and Ramsey Briones. Great grand children Maya Hiti; Michael Jr., Jacquelynn, Jordan, Josiah and Ashlyn Morrow; and his first wife, Juana.
Pedro was preceded in death by his wife, Sandra; a son, Juan Carlos; his mother and father-in-law Mary Dee and Charles Green.
Papi, we will all miss you greatly and are so incredibly grateful for all you have given and shared with us. We find comfort in knowing that you are no longer in pain and that we will all be reunited again some day.
Funeral services for Pedro will be at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 29, 2009 at VALLEY BAPTIST CHURCH, 3600 N.Chippewa Street, Appleton, with Rev. Larry Creamer officiating. Friends may call directly at the church on Thursday from 4:00 p.m. until the time of service. Interment will be at Highland Memorial Park, Appleton.
In lieu of flowers, a scholarship fund has been established in Pedro's name to honor a 2010 Menasha High School minority student who will be pursuing post high school education.

Wichmann Funeral Home
Tri-County Chapel
3200 S. Oneida Street
Menasha 831-9905
Online Condolences
www.wichmannfargo.com

To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Pedro Briones, please visit our flower store.

Service Schedule

Past Services

Visitation

Saturday, October 29, 2022

4:00 - 7:00 pm

Enter your phone number above to have directions sent via text. Standard text messaging rates apply.

Service

Sunday, October 30, 2022

Starts at 10:00 am

Peshtigo Riverside Cemetery

493 Right of Way Rd, Peshtigo, WI 54157

Enter your phone number above to have directions sent via text. Standard text messaging rates apply.

Guestbook

Visits: 25

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the
Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Service map data © OpenStreetMap contributors

Send Flowers

Send Flowers

Plant A Tree

Plant A Tree