Alfred Stacy Briggs III passed away on Saturday, Oct. 6, 2018, at his home
in Chalfont.
He was 74.
Stacy is survived by his loving wife of 25 years, Sandra L. (Herstine)
Briggs.
He is also survived by a daughter, Deanna.
Born in Wilmington, Delaware, he was the son of the late Alfred Stacy Briggs
Jr. and Anna Duffield (Harris) Briggs.
He was a proud graduate of Neshaminy High School and The Pennsylvania State
University with a Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts, majoring in English. He
was also a member of the Penn State Alumni Association.
Stacy was a dedicated career journalist, having spent 50 years in reporting
and editing at “The Intelligencer” and “Bucks County Courier Times.” He
started with the two newspapers, then part of Calkins Media, in 1966 as a
sports reporter — the perfect position for the avid sports fan he was.
During his decades-long career before his last day in 2015, he would also
serve as the first editor of “The Record” (at the time the Montgomery County
arm of “The Intelligencer”), Sunday editor, business editor and features
editor.
The newspapers were his life. He exhibited not only a deep enthusiasm for
his work, for the paper and for journalism itself but an unwavering
commitment to being meticulous in his craft. Though Stacy held various
writing positions during his tenure at the paper, including authoring his
own column, “On the Loose,” he was at his best and happiest polishing the
words of other writers, ensuring the accuracy of every detail, pushing the
ordinary to become extraordinary. Even writers he didn’t supervise knew they
could trust his critical eye and honest feedback on their stories, and
fellow editors, too, relied on his expertise when it came to grammar, tone,
balance, style … There was no one who had a greater command of the rules of
the AP style book and no one who appreciated the granular elements of copy
editing more.
Behind the scenes was where Stacy preferred to be but there was hardly a
story that didn’t carry his imprint, whether directly or through the wisdom
and lessons in refining and self-editing he so eagerly and generously
shared.
Stacy loved mentoring young reporters, and despite his unfailing exactitude
and daunting red pen, it never took long to realize what a privilege it was
to work with him.
He was a classic newsman with high morals and a tough, no-nonsense attitude.
But he also possessed a great wit and gentlemanly charm. He was loyal,
supportive and went out of his way to be helpful if it meant being in
service to the papers he loved.
An unforgettable presence in the newsroom, he gave 150 percent every day
with passion, conviction, precision and a heart of gold.
A memorial service to celebrate Stacy’s life will be held at Pleasantville
United Church of Christ, 3424 Limekiln Pike, Chalfont, on Saturday, Oct. 20,
2018. Visitation will be from 10 to 11 a.m. followed by the service at 11
a.m. Interment will be held privately at the convenience of the family.
Donations in Stacy’s name may be made to The Penn State Alumni Association,
Hintz Family Center, University Park, PA 16802.