Briggs Lovell Tobin

Briggs Lovell Tobin, a Ridgefield, Connecticut resident for over twenty years, died on Thursday, April 7, 2022 at the age of 60. Born in Cambridge, England, on May 21, 1961, Briggs was the son of the late Wallace “Toby” Emmett Tobin III, and Deborah Geldard Tobin. Briggs is survived by his loving wife of thirty one years, Jessica Barnett Tobin, and his two children, Lane Geldard Tobin and Sam Lovell Tobin, of whom he was very proud. He is also survived by his mother, his sisters Ashley Manchester Tobin and Bliss Radcliffe Tobin, and their families. 

Briggs spent his childhood in Guilford, Connecticut before attending Phillips Academy Andover (1979). A curious and dedicated student, he studied history at Yale University (1983) and later the law at Emory Law School in Atlanta (1989). At each of these institutions, Briggs’ developed life-long, cherished friendships.  

After law school, Briggs obtained a federal judicial clerkship with the late Honorable Morey L. Sear in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana based in New Orleans. In 1990, he joined Long, Aldridge and Norman in Atlanta as a corporate lawyer. Briggs specialized in mergers and acquisitions and became a partner in 1997.  He joined General Electric in 1999, first in the Power Systems Division and shortly thereafter in GE’s corporate offices in Fairfield, Connecticut. During his time at GE, Briggs assisted with transactions around the world and enjoyed exploring new lands and learning about other cultures. Briggs spoke of how lucky he felt to have worked with such smart, conscientious, and fun-loving people, many of whom he counted among his best friends. He retired from his position as GE Senior Counsel, Transactions in 2013. Briggs completed the last five years of his professional career as the CFO of Ridgefield Academy.  

Briggs believed in equality and opportunity for all. In his position as Board Chair for the Fairfield County’s Community Foundation, he worked to further their mission of closing the opportunity gap in Fairfield County. In particular, Briggs was interested in affordable housing, and worked to educate himself and others about how to increase accessibility in the region. At the same time, Briggs served as Vice Chair of Ridgefield’s Historic Commission. He understood the importance of preserving Ridgefield’s welcoming Main Street vistas, free of fences and walls.  

A passionate sailor, Briggs competed as a junior sailor in Connecticut, in college and as an adult. He was an active member of Noroton Yacht Club, the Storm Trysail Club and The Cruising Club of America. Briggs passed on his love of sailing and the sea to his children. In 2013, his family set sail aboard Briggs’ treasured yacht, Froya, spending nine months between Nova Scotia and the Caribbean islands. This coming June, Lane Tobin will step into her father’s role as co-skipper in the Newport Bermuda Race.

Briggs also had a deep appreciation of the natural world around him. He often remarked “Aren’t we lucky to live in New England?” In his calendar, he carefully recorded the last bit of snow in the yard and when the peepers began to sing. On Friday nights, Briggs was often found on his deck with a martini, appreciating the night sky. A few months before he died, Briggs started saying good morning to an owl who lives in the woods near home. Sometimes their exchange went back and forth ten times as he wandered down the driveway to get the morning paper.

Briggs was intelligent, kind, witty and modest. He looked for and found the best in people. Above his desk, Briggs pinned a handwritten note “Goals for the Next 25 Years” dated 2015. This brief list included “continued learning” and “stay connected with old friends.” Briggs was much loved and will be sorely missed.

A private Celebration of Life will be held next month in Ridgefield. Contributions in Briggs’ memory may be sent to the Norwalk River Valley Trail, https://www.nrvt-trail.com/ (a trail connecting Norwalk, Wilton, Redding, Ridgefield and Danbury), Fairfield County’s Community Foundation’s Center for Nonprofit Excellence, https://fccfoundation.org/ or a charity of your choice.  

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