John Leroy Bigelow, Jr., 84, of Medway, died Thursday, March 3, 2011 at his home after a long battle with cancer. He was the beloved husband of Dorothy (Ames) Bigelow for over 64 years.
Born in Boston on July 8, 1926, a son of the late John Leroy Bigelow Sr. and Doris M. (Powell) Bigelow, he had been a resident of Medway since 1943.
John was raised and educated in Waltham and Wayland and co-owned Fort Hill Express trucking company with Ernest LaCasse and later with his brother-in-law Donald Lee for over 40 years.
He honorably served in the Marine Corps aboard the aircraft carrier Hancock during WWII in the Pacific and was honorably discharged in 1945.
John belonged to the Boy Scouts for over 73 years as a Scout Leader, Scout Master and Committee Member. He received the Boy Scouts District Merit Award and the Silver Beaver. He also did fundraising for the Scouts as Santa for over 20 years and the Medway Parade Santa.
John belonged to the Medway Auxiliary Police and Civil Defense and received the Distinguished Citizens Award in 1971 from the Medway Jaycees.
As a member of the Medway Community Church, he served on many committees as Collector, Building & Grounds, Chairman of the Board of Deacons and the Executive Board. He especially loved working with his son John on the Chuck Wagon at the Annual Church Fair.
John loved all outdoor activities, but especially canoeing, camping, swimming and fishing and shared these with his family.
Besides his wife, he is survived by his sons, John and his wife Cindy, Donald, a daughter Dorothy Skog and her husband Richard, all of Medway and a daughter Joanne Lesiak of Hopedale.
He is also survived by seven grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren, his brother Donald and his wife Barbara of Falmouth, a sister Nancy Lee and her husband Don of Mendon and many nieces and nephews.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend a Celebration of His Life in the Medway Community Church, 193 Main St. in West Medway on Saturday, March 12 at 11 a.m.
Calling hours will be held on Sunday, March 6 from 2 - 5 p.m. in the Ginley-Crowley Funeral Home, 3 Barber St. in Medway.
Donations in his memory may be sent to the charity on your choice.