James Brierley Of East Hampton Dies August 16

James Donald Brierley

James Donald Brierley died at his East Hampton home, surrounded by family, on Thursday, August 16, after a long illness. Known as Jim, he was 76.

Mr. Brierley was born on October 29, 1935 in Brooklyn, the only child of James Henry and Mary (née Rafter) Brierly.

Mr. Brierley and his wife, Anne Marie (née Eagan), whom he married in 1956, decided to move their family to East Hampton in 1972 after years spending summer vacations there. They never looked back, family said.

He was passionate about fishing, which later was largely replaced by skiing. Winters were spent in Vermont and Colorado. In 1997, he suffered a debilitating stroke, which would end his skiing hobby, although he and his wife continued to enjoy spending time in Vermont.

The couple still managed to do extensive traveling, including a cross-country road trip with his son, daughter-in-law, sister-in-law and family, as well as visits to Maine. They made numerous trips to St. John in the Virgin Islands to visit daughters and grandchildren as well as trips to Belize to visit their daughter and son-in-law. With the help of his family, he was also able to continue with activities he enjoyed such as biking and kayaking.

Mr. Brierley graduated from Manhattan College in 1957 and set up his own practice as a civil engineer. In later years, he worked for Suffolk County, until his career was cut short by his stroke.

Besides his wife Anne Marie, Mr. Brierley is survived by five children, Eileen Brierley and her husband Tom Small, Susan Brierley and her husband Paul Fredsell, James Brierley and his wife Kim, Donald Brierley and his wife Susan, and Jackie Brierley and her fiance, Wes Ivankovitch; his grandchildren, Sean Bos and his partner Leslie Lien, Ashley Bos, Kelly Kalman and her partner Ryan Barriga, Kyle Brierley and Curran Brierley, Jack Brierley, Luke Brierley and Jane Brierley, Jordan Clendinen and Lili Clendinen.

A wake was held at Yardley and Pino Funeral Home in East Hampton on Sunday, August 19, followed by a funeral Mass at Most Holy Trinity Church on Monday, August 20. His remains were cremated and will be interred at Most Holy Trinity Cemetery at a later date.