Victor Andre Briscoe
Obituary

Victor A. Briscoe, A.K.A. “Bear”, passed away on June 17, 2025. He was born on August 29, 1953, a native of California. Victor lived a life full of personality, passion, and deep care for those around him.

Victor was raised in the church, first Pentecostal and then Baptist, attending church 3-4 times a week, including vacation bible school every summer growing up. As an adult his beliefs evolved, believing in a “higher being”, a more evolved “being”, in the concept of spirituality vs religion. Victor had a hard childhood leaving him with struggles and challenges throughout his life until he became involved with AA, NA, and CA. Through the 12-Step program of recovery Victor was able to find recovery, heal and make peace with his traumatic past and was clean and sober for 32 years at the time of his passing. He was extremely grateful and proud of his recovery. He was committed to being of service, freely sharing his experiences, strengths and hopes with those who still suffered and others recovering from their disease. 

Victor was a true people person who never missed a chance to start a conversation. He would often take the opportunity to share his life story in the hope it would help someone else. Victor was bright and intelligent, having a wealth of life experience, both good and bad, giving him a vast and varied knowledge and perception about life, the world's social climate, current affairs/events, news, American history and his place in it as a black man. Victor loved to engage, and share with others as a way of getting to know and understand them better. He was able to find a community in his complex where he lived for the last 20 years. His neighbors and his property manager were truly saddened by his passing. They spoke fondly of him, coming to their assistance when and/or if needed. His care and concern for them did not go unnoticed. Victor was even well-known at his local 7-eleven and Stater Brothers market. Victor also had a special bond with his auto mechanic Jeff, who he knew, trusted and respected for more than 20 years. Victor was loved by the people he came to know as his Cathedral City family. And he was protective and warm-hearted toward them as people he loved. As a family we are grateful for them being a part of his life.

Victor worked as a welder for Todd Shipyard in San Pedro, CA for more than a decade and then as a heavy-duty tow truck driver in Desert Hot Springs, CA for the remainder of his career, lasting three decades. He had many passions in life, including a love for cars, especially in the “low riding” era, often doing the mechanical work on his classic cars himself. His face would light up when the mechanics worked as hoped, as expected, giving him that sense of accomplishment. He also found joy in the speed and excitement of NASCAR racing. He had a #8 Dale Earnhardt,Jr, car refrigerator magnet among his belongings. Victor was a devoted Star Trek fan, an admitted “Trekkie” with a personal collection he was very proud and very fond of having. Victor was looking forward to attending the Star Trek convention in Las Vegas in August. Baseball was another lifelong love, following the game with enthusiasm and passion.

Victor is survived by his daughter Maureen, his sister Renee, his nephew Rodney, and a host of cousins here in California, including Marvis Harlin and her family, Elayne Harlin and her family, Leonard Harlin, Jr. and his family, Terry Harlin and his family, Warren Harlin and his family, Travis and his family, and those cousins in Oklahoma who will carry his memory forward with love. He is preceded in death by his father Earl Lee Briscoe, his mother Wilma Jean Briscoe, his son Victor Jr. who died in infancy, his Aunts Maxine Harlin and Mina Mae Ballard, his uncle Leonard Harlin, Sr., cousins Sharon Harlin, Annetta Harlin and Lynetta Harlin. Victor seamlessly took on the role of his mother following her death as the glue, and was accepted as one of the remaining patriarchs that kept the family together.  

Victor will be remembered for his big heart, his strong presence, and the way he looked out for those he cared about.