Melvin Herman Briggs, 92, of Cape Coral, Florida, passed away on February 17, 2025. Melvin was born November 5, 1932, in Bonduel, Wisconsin, to Herman Alton Briggs and Hazel Minnie Deering. Prior to graduating from Seymour High School, Melvin enlisted in the United States Navy, where he would spend a total of 20 years between active and reserve duty – which service Melvin was tremendously proud of. Melvin’s time in the Navy took him on ships and seas far from home, where he solidified a love for boating. Melvin found a partner that also shared this passion upon meeting Janice Hoffman at a dance hall in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Melvin and Janice wed on February 15, 1958, and would go on to live a life full of adventures throughout Wisconsin, Florida and every waterway between. Following Melvin’s active-duty time in the Navy as a diesel mechanic, he joined The Chicago & North Western Railway as an Engineer. Melvin spent over 30 years in this capacity before abruptly retiring in August 1992 without putting in any notice – but he had a plan. The very next day, Melvin and Janice took off on a four-year adventure across the country while living exclusively on Oil Rig, a 45-foot (but Melvin would always remind you that it was actually longer by today’s measuring standards) Bayliner Yacht, which is only one of many boats that they made memories on. These memories were shared with Melvin and Janice’s three children, LeAnne, Peter, and Ted, and the countless friends made along the waterways that they explored. Following retirement, Melvin and Janice purchased a home on a canal in Cape Coral, Florida, where their children and grandchildren spent abundant time soaking up in the Sunshine State that Melvin loved so much, as well as boating, and fishing. These fishing adventures also continued in the summertime in Wild Rose, Wisconsin, where Melvin and Janice had a cottage on Wilson Lake. Melvin’s children and grandchildren also visited there often, as they were never far from him. While the location may have changed, the constants of a Blatz Beer in Melvin’s hand, tales from life on the farm in Bonduel, his time in the Navy, navigating waterways throughout the country, and history lessons always remained. Following the passing of Janice in 2014, Melvin wed Gertrude (Trudy) Formella on December 18, 2015. Melvin and Trudy continued to snowbird between Melvin’s home in Cape Coral and Trudy’s home on Nagawicka Lake, in Delafield, Wisconsin, where they spent time boating as well. Melvin and Trudy shared a passion for their German ancestry, playing cards, watching live music, discussing history and their strong patriotism for our country.

Melvin is preceded in death by his first wife Janice, and survived by his second wife, Trudy Formella, children LeAnne (Tom), Peter, and Ted (Vicky), and grandchildren Kyle, Jordan, Thomas, Elizabeth, Addie, Ben, Luke, Alex, and Andrew. A service to celebrate Melvin’s life will be held on May 22, 2025, at St. Charles Catholic Church (313 Circle Dr, Hartland, WI 53029). A 10:30 AM visitation will be followed by 11:00 AM service, and luncheon. 

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