Dennis A. Briley

Dennis Alan Briley, 85, of Pewaukee, Wisconsin, passed away peacefully on Thursday, March 28, 2024.   He was born on January 30^th, 1939, to the late Loren and Marian (nee Evans) Briley, in Atlanta, Michigan.

As a teenager, Dennis greatly enjoyed canoe racing with his friend.  Dennis attended Michigan Technological University, where he received an Electrical Engineering degree.  After graduation, he accepted a position as an Electrical Engineer for Wisconsin Electric Power Company (now We Energies) and relocated to Racine, Wisconsin.   It was in Racine where he met and married his wife, Elaine.  They relocated to Fort Atkinson, WI briefly before he and Elaine settled in Pewaukee to raise their two children.  He retired from Wisconsin Electric after 30 years.

Dennis was a long-time and very active member of his church, Unitarian Universalist Church West.  At one time he served as church president, served on the church board, and also served on several committees, including Earth Ministry and the Social Action Council.  He helped with maintaining the grounds, helped with guiding the church to be more energy efficient (including helping to get solar panels installed), led groups to work on racial equality issues, helped to facilitate a men’s breakfast group, facilitated a lighting rewiring project with an inner-city church, as well as being a friendly, smiling face on many Sundays as either an Usher or a Greeter.  He greatly enjoyed having conversations at the coffee hour after the service, where he always looked for new people to talk with.  

Dennis was always striving to make the world a better place and had a passion for social action.   This led him to be active in many social action programs and groups.  Later in his life, Dennis became very interested in renewable energy.  He was an active volunteer with Renew Wisconsin, with specific interest in solar and wind power.

At home, Dennis enjoyed reading, vegetable gardening, working around the yard, and maintaining his raspberry plants.  He renewed his love of canoeing and also enjoyed traveling, taking walks in the neighborhood, hiking, and spending time with his family.

Dennis will be greatly missed by his loving wife of 59 years, Elaine (nee Bowden); his children: Jay Briley and Collette Briley; and his brother Darrell (Alice) Briley of Seattle, Washington.  He is further survived by other relatives and friends.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, May 11th, 2024, at Unitarian Universalist Church West, 13001 W. North Ave., Brookfield, WI 53005-5219, at 2 PM.  

Memorials in Dennis’s name may be made to the Unitarian Universalist Church West, 13001 W. North Ave., Brookfield, WI 53005-5219, or to a charity of your choice.