Edward (“Ed”) N. Riggs, 75, of Franklin, Massachusetts, passed away Monday April 22, 2019.
Born in Abington, Pennsylvania on April 25, 1943, the son of the late Nelson and Tacy (Leedom) Riggs, Ed was the firstborn of five siblings and began a fulfilling life by marrying Mary (Willis) Riggs on September 11, 1965.
A veteran of the Army Special Warfare Agency, Ed attained rank of Army Specialist 5 and was charged with the creation of classified military manuals for the troops during the Vietnam War.
Sparked by his deep interest in printing, Ed entered the “new” and exciting graphic arts/color proofing industry, which provided him a satisfying career working with “fore-front” companies such as 3M, K&E, D&W, Stork ColorProofing B.V. (Belgium), and lastly Polaroid (Waltham), from which he retired. He furthered his passions by serving as a member and former president of the Boston Lithographers Club and as former president and CEO/secretary of the National Association of Lithographers Club.
To those who knew him, Ed was nothing less than a caring, compassionate, gentle, and fun-loving man who enthusiastically participated in everything life offered him and his family. He traveled with Mary by his side, and his interests had no limit. Perhaps most remembered as a photographer, sports enthusiast, NASCAR lover, bowler, and golfer, its safe to say, Ed enjoyed them most with the company of family and friends to laugh with.
Above all, Ed was a devoted family man, loving husband, incredible father; and a doting grand & great-grandfather. In 2002, he and Mary chose to retire near the North Carolina coastline where they continued their interests and traditions with their grandchildren.
Ed is survived by Mary, his wife of 53 years, his daughter Michele L. Riggs of Ayer, his son Steven E. Riggs of Franklin; his grandchildren, Caitlyn E. Creamer (husband Chris) of Beaufort, SC and Braeden S. Riggs of Franklin; his great-grandchildren, Claire and Cassidy Creamer; his sister Dorothy (Dot) Marchini, his brother James (Jimmy) Riggs, both of Pennsylvania, many nieces, nephews, cousins and extended family. Ed was, sadly predeceased by his brothers William (Billy) Riggs and Robert (Bobby) Riggs.
Locally, Mr. Riggs had been a resident of Medway and most recently Franklin, however, he and his family also enjoyed living in North Carolina, Florida, New Jersey, and their home state of Pennsylvania.
Friends and family are invited to a funeral Mass at St. Anne Catholic Church, 75 King Street in Littleton on June 22, 2019 at 9:00 a.m. A reception will follow at Shaker Hill Country Club, 146 Shaker Road in Harvard.
The family requests expressions of sympathy be made in Ed’s memory to either: The Disabled American Veterans, State House, Room 546, Boston, MA 02133; or The Alzheimer’s Assoc., 309 Waverley Oaks Rd, Waltham, MA 02452.
For further details, please contact the Ginley Funeral Home of Franklin (www.ginleyfuneralhomes.com).