NATICK: John H. “Jack” Wigglesworth, age 79, a retired Natick firefighter and twenty-year veteran of the US Marine Corps, died Wednesday afternoon, November 28, 2012. He had been the devoted husband of Elizabeth A. “Betty” (Higgins) Wigglesworth for the past fifteen years.
Born in Natick on December 14, 1932, he was the last surviving son of the late Frank D. and Louise (Strearns) Wigglesworth. Jack attended Natick High School prior to entering the United States Marine Corps in 1949. The Corps was to be his life for the next twenty years.
Jack married the former Janice Yates in July of 1956 and in the coming years made their home wherever Jack’s career led them. Their eldest child was born in Alaska, and he was followed by four more all born in the lower 48. Jack served actively in both Korea and Vietnam during their respective wars as a gunnery sergeant. He retired from the Marine Corps in 1969, and returned to Natick with his growing family. A year later he became a Natick firefighter like his father before him. He enjoyed his service to the people of Natick until his 1986 retirement. A few years later he grieved the loss of his wife Janice after 35 years of marriage.
A Corvair enthusiast, Jack had for many years enjoyed buying, selling, restoring, repairing and showing the compact rear engine vehicles at CORSA Club events all around the area. After reconnecting with Betty, a former high school sweetheart, the couple decided to marry. The couple decided to pack themselves and their dogs into an RV and spent the next ten years canvassing the country. Upon their return, Jack – who was known to many as either Honky or Gunny - was somewhat of a homebody, enjoying his family and friends and fixing things in his shop.
In addition to Betty, he is survived by his children, John “Andy” of Framingham, Lori Seastrand of Walpole, Carol of Hadley, Kathleen Araya of Framingham, and Michael and his wife Beth of Bellingham; a step-son, Christopher Maynard and his wife Lisa of TN; ten grandchildren, Erica Brady of Walpole, Brianna and Gabriella of Framingham, Emily Kubacki and Jackson Paul of Hadley, Matthew and Joseph Seastrand of Walpole, Thomas of Bellingham, and Marissa and A.J. of Belmont; and a large and caring extended family. He was also the brother of the late Donald, Frank S. and Robert Wigglesworth.
His funeral service will be held on Thursday, December 6th at 11:00a.m. in the John Everett & Sons Funeral Home, 4 Parks Street at Natick Common, Natick, followed by burial at Dell Park Cemetery. Visiting hours will be on Wednesday, 4 – 8p.m.
Donations may be made in Jack’s memory to MetroWest Homecare & Hospice, 85 Lincoln Street, Framingham 01702.