Obituary of Delmer P. Wiggins

Delmer P. Wiggins, of Halifax, died Tuesday, January 25, 2011 surrounded by his family. He was 91. The beloved husband of 64 years to Dorothy J. Wiggins of Halifax, he was the loving father of 6 children; William R. Wiggins of Worcester, Dorothy J.(Wiggins) Chella and her husband Roger of Weymouth, Shirley D. Wiggins of Weymouth, Edward P. Wiggins of Quincy, Linda E. (Wiggins) Gavin and her husband Micheal of Hull, and Debra E. (Wiggins) Scollins and her husband Dennis of Marshfield. Devoted grandfather to 8 grandchildren; Robert J. Chella of Whitman, Michel M.(Chella) Claudio and her husband Anthony of Bluffton, SC, Dennis M. Scollins, Jr. of Marshfield, Robert F. Scollins of Marshfield, Kathleen R. Scollins of Marshfield, Eileen M.Scollins of Marshfield, Michael J. Scollins of Marshfield, and Katelyn Gavin of Hull; and great grandfather to 2 great grandchildren Michael Claudio of Bluffton, SC, and Sophia Claudio of Bluffton, SC. Del was a devoted husband and father. Born on July 20, 1919, he survived the great depression and World War II. He traveled across America by train. At 22 years old, he went to work at the New Haven Railroad and was hired as a cook for the grill cars that traveled between Boston, New York and Washington D.C. In 1943, he joined the Merchant Marines and was a replacement in the event that the Navy men aboard his Liberty Ship were injured. His regular job was a cook aboard the different ships that he signed on to work. His last trip as a Merchant Marine was the Chief Cook on the Elisha Cobb. In 1946, he met and married his wife Dorothy and they raised 6 children. He worked several jobs during his lifetime including sales, delivery, and warehouse management. No matter what position he worked, he always had the upmost respect and admiration of his co-workers and supervisors. In 1969, Del was installed as the Master of Orphan's Hope Lodge. One of his responsibilities was to help organize the Masonic Lodge's Blood Drive for the Red Cross. Not only did he keep track of donations from fellow members, but he received a certificate of appreciation for his lifetime gift of 10 gallons of blood. He was a member and faithful parishioner of the Calvary Baptist Church in Hanson, MA. He was always willing to help others and will be greatly missed. Visiting hours will be held on Friday, January 28th from 4-8:00 PM at the Shepherd Funeral Home,7 Mattakeesett St (Rt. 14) Pembroke. A funeral service will be held at the Calvary Baptist Church, 429 Monponsett St, Hanson,on Saturday, January 29th at 11:00 AM. Internment will be at a later date. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to: American Red Cross, PO Box 4002018, Des Moines, IA 50340-2018.