CORNELIUS J. “NIEL” BRIODY, 86, of TINTON FALLS, died Friday, April 4, at Sea Brook Village, Tinton Falls. He was a co-owner of Briody’s Restaurant’s in Rumson and Jersey City for 37 years with his brother, Joseph Briody Sr., retiring in 1985. He was past president of the New Jersey Liquor Association; organizer of the annual St. Patrick’s Day Gala Ball at Shore Casino, Atlantic Highlands and lector and CCD teacher at the Church of the Nativity, Fair Haven. He created the Retirement Men’s Club at the church. He was an honorary member of the Fair Haven Fire Department and a volunteer at Riverview Medical Center, Red Bank. He was a member of the Literary Program of Monmouth County, president of the residence council and president of the Ecumenical Council at Sea Brook Village, and the “Briody Bunch” of Rumson was recently renamed in his honor. He was a veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps, serving during World War II. He was born in Jersey City and lived in Fair Haven for 31 years before moving to Tinton Falls seven years ago.
He was predeceased by his wife of 54 years, Regina Briody, in 2000; his son, Stephen Briody, in 1981; two brothers, Peter and Joseph Briody; and a sister, Anne Berpent. Surviving are a daughter and son-in-law, Patricia and Tom Graham of Summit; a son and daughter-in-law, Jay and Ann Briody of Gastonia, N.C.; a sister, Jean Amabile of Clark; four grandchildren, Jennifer, Sara, John, and Michael; and two great-granddaughters, Isabel and Lily.
Visitation will be from 2 to 5 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. Sunday at John F. Pfleger Funeral Home, 115 Tindall Road, Middletown. A Funeral Liturgy is scheduled for 11:30 a.m. Monday at the Church of the Nativity, Fair Haven. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the Church of the Nativity, Ridge Road, Fair Haven, NJ 07704 or Sea Brook Village Benevolent Fund, 3000 Essex Road, Tinton Falls, NJ 07753. Letters of condolence may be e-mailed to Condolences@pflegerfuneralhome.com.