John Wiggins Jr.

July 1, 1942 - February 21, 2022

Beloved Father, Grandfather, Great-Grandfather, Great-Great Grandfather, John Wiggins, Jr. was born on July 1, 1942, to the late John Wiggins, Sr. and Phardalis Watson Wiggins. He was reared in the small southern town of Aulander, North Carolina in Bertie County. John was the oldest child of twelve (12) children – seven (7) girls and five (5) boys. Surrounded by loved ones, John made his transition from earth to heaven on Monday, February 21, 2022, at age seventy-nine (79). John was educated in the Bertie County Public School System. He was a school-bus driver during his junior and senior years at John B. Bond High School in Lewiston, NC. He was in the band and played drums. At an early age, he learned to play the piano by ear. Although John was from a small town and the son of sharecroppers, he learned many life skills while growing up on a farm. He acquired an invaluable work ethic that prepared him for his dream job. After graduating from John B. Bond High School in 1961, John embarked on a career at United Technologies/Pratt and Whitney Company, Hartford, Connecticut. He was a dedicated worker for this company for over 35 yearsbefore his health failed. Because of a near death experience, complicated by diabetes, John became a double amputee on January 28, 2001. For the next twenty-one years, John lived his life to the fullest. He learned to live with his disability and was always joyful and encouraging to everyone. John was a born-again Christian and enjoyed sharing the love and grace of God with all he encountered. He loved Christian television, especially his favorite televangelists. John also had a passion for delicious food –seafood, soul food, Chinese, Japanese and Jamaican Cuisine. John was a kind and loving man whose generous spirit touched the lives of his family, extended family, friends, and colleagues. Every Sunday, without fail, John would call each sibling and fellowship with them via telephone, especially during COVID. He would talk about politics, football, basketball, baseball, family, and his steadfast and faithful love for his Lord and Savior, Jesus. On Sunday, February 20, 2022, John had the great privilege of seeing and talking with family members via Zoom for about 45 minutes. He was alert and greeted all twenty (20) loved ones on Zoom. It was a glorious time of celebration of love of family. On the very next day, Monday, February 21, 2022, around 2 p.m. John transitioned to heaven from Yale New Haven Hospital Saint Raphael. John was predeceased by his parents: John and Phardalis Wiggins, his son: John Fitzgerald Wiggins, three brothers:Milton Wiggins, Kenneth Wiggins, James Wiggins; two sisters: Joyce Jinwright Castro and Tulie Leggett. Left to cherish his memory are three daughters: Sylvia Wiggins, Jacqueline Anthony (William), Ryan Alexander; two sons: Ricky Wiggins and Joseph Wiggins, Grandchildren: LaShaun, Veronica, Justin W., Demetric, Bianca, Justin I, Jasmine, Shante, Caroline Kennedy and Chandler, Great-Grandchildren: KeShauna, Kuality, LaShuan, Jr., Nyashia, Deonte, Demetric II, Deja, Kimora, Damarion, Heru, Luna, Nova, and one Great-Great Grandchild: Kody Lyles, five sisters: Lillian Kearney, Shirley McCain, Barbra Matthews, Eva Greene, and Teresa Watford; one brother: Larry Wiggins, his extended family and caregivers in Connecticut –and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends whom he loved dearly.