Following graduation from Lee-Davis High School, Mike enlisted in the USN in 1971. Upon graduating from Boot Camp in the Great Lakes, he then served on the USS Dixie, USS Dennis J. Buckley and USS Ajax. Mike was the recipient of the Combat Action Ribbon, Meritorious Unit Commendation and the Vietnam Service Ribbon while serving on the USS Buckley during the Vietnam War. He completed his active duty service at Pearl Harbor serving at the Harbor Clearance Unit One. Following his retirement from active duty in the USN, he then served as a reservist until his retirement in 2003.

Upon discharge from active duty, Mike lived in Honolulu, Hawaii where he graduated from the University of Hawaii with a Mechanical Engineering degree.

While in the USN, he received advanced diver training and worked as a deep sea salvage diver. He continued to use his diving knowledge and expertise as a civilian employee of the Navy Experimental Diving Unit in Panama City, Florida. Mike’s passion was flying and he loved his airplane 444PP and spent many enjoyable hours caring for and flying his beloved taildragger. Mike was a member of the Quiet Birdmen and was well respected among his fellow aviators. Mike volunteered his time and passion for flying by volunteering with Angel Flight and the Civil Air Patrol. Additionally, Mike’s flight training included the certifications and ratings of commercial and private pilot to include single engine, multi-engine, instrument, seaplane and glider.

He is survived by his parents, Leo and Charlotte Briere of Mechanicsville, VA, Clifford Briere of Stafford, VA, Becky Bracey (Mitch) of Mechanicsville, VA, Barry Briere (Debbie) of Mechanicsville, VA, William Briere of Sandston, VA, and Sharon Filegar (David) of Mechanicsville, VA. He is also survived by 19 nieces and nephews and 10 great nieces and nephews and close friends John Schlegel, Frank Hillis and Kin Howard.

The family will receive friends on Friday, February 27th from 2-4 and 6-8pm at the Mechanicsville Chapel of Bennett Funeral Home, 8014 Lee Davis Road, Mechanicsville, Virginia where funeral services will be held 2pm Saturday, February 28, 2015. Interment to follow at Forest Lawn Cemetery in Richmond, Virginia.

Per Mike’s request, in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or Children’s Camp Scholarships, payable to and c/o Fairmount Christian Church, P.O. Box 788, Mechanicsville, VA 23111.