Frederick Irving ⁹ BIGELOW

OBITUARY: (MIDDLEBORO)

            Hugh A Bigelow, aged 81 years, of Middleboro, died on Sun. December 19, 2010; surrounded by his loving family, after a courageous battle with cancer.  He was the beloved husband of Geraldine (Gifford) Bigelow; they had recently celebrated their 55^th year of marriage. Hughie was born and raised in Middleboro, June 29, 1929, son of the late Frederick Irving and Ethel Minetta ( Clark ) Bigelow. He was a 1947 graduate of Middleboro High School , and had continued his education at M.I.T., Lowell Institute, and Wentworth Institute, where he earned his engineering and drafting certificates. He was a United States Army veteran, serving immediately after WWII, during the occupation of both Korea and Japan , being honorably discharged as a Corporal. Hugh never had idle hands and worked in many different jobs as a boy and young adult from garages, to farms and saw mills. After returning from the war receiving his education he became a machinist for the government and diligently and technically worked himself up through the ranks, first at Watertown Arsenal and then at Picatinny Arsenal in New Jersey. He earned his Professional Engineering Certificate and worked on many projects that benefited the Army. He also owned a patent for a Wear Testing Device. He had a lifelong interest in fireworks and earned his Professional Pyrotechnical Technician License in Rocketry and Guided Missiles traveling throughout Massachusetts putting on firework displays. He was a former member of the VFW, and enjoyed the art of lapidary and fossil hunting which he shared with family. He was the founder and president of the Rock and Gem Society in New Jersey . He found great pride in keeping his HS Classmates connected and was part of the Class of 1947 Reunion Committee for many years. He also thought it was very important to keep track of his family’s lineage and belonged to the Bigelow Society, working very diligently to trace his family’s history back to 1632. He was a master woodworker, enjoyed toy and jewelry making and could fix just about anything. He loved animals, kept a beautiful garden, and enjoyed sharing his fruits and vegetables with his family and friends. He especially enjoyed doing yard work and could be seen riding his John Deere tractor into the sunset on many occasions. He is survived by his loving wife, Geraldine and his devoted children; Charlene Kelly and her husband Jack of Dover, NJ, Pamela Bigelow-O’Neill and her husband Dennis of Medford Lakes, NJ, Jennifer Harrison of Succasunna, NJ, and Belinda Rubinstein and her husband Ian of Sagamore, MA, 10 grandchildren; Robert, Kimberly, Michael, Lisa, Merrick, Katrina, Christopher, Foster, Trevor and Jason, one brother; Ernest Bigelow, many nieces, nephews, and cousins. He was the brother of the late Winifred C., Enid S., Richard E., Sylvia M., Frederick I., William E., Edgar R., and Alvin M. The family would like to thank everyone who helped with Hugh’s care during his final months. They allowed us to fulfill his wishes and care for him at home with a level of compassion and dignity. Visiting hours will be held in the Egger Funeral Home, 61 Pearl St Middleboro, on Mon. Dec. 27^th from 2-4 & 6-8 pm. Funeral services will be held on Tues. at 10:30 am in the funeral home. Burial will follow at Central Cemetery , Middleboro. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory can be made to: The Salvation Army of Bridgewater, 134 Main St. Bridgewater MA 02324 .