Edward A. Biggins

Waltham – To say that Ed Biggins wore many hats in his lifetime would be one of those rare occasions that the words were well-earned by one man. Family-man, Airman, Fire Alarm Dispatcher, Usher, Raytheon Production Worker, Cashier, Actor, Ticket-taker, Treasurer, Sox Fan . . . it goes on. The backdrop for most of Ed's journey was set in Waltham.

Some of his earliest and fondest memories of the city were on Moody Street, "in those days in the '40s or '50s, it was like Broadway itself," he said, recalling the days of movie theaters, dance halls and Christmas parades marching past Grover Cronin's and the Embassy Theater (where he was an usher as a teen).

"The stretch once attracted thousands of people on any given weekend," a gifted storyteller, it was easy to see Ed's love for the city.

The only time his sense of duty led him away from his home town, was in 1952. Shortly after graduation from Waltham High School, Ed enlisted and served honorably as an Airman First Class in the United States Air Force during the Korean War.

Born in Waltham on March 13, 1933, the son of the late Lauretta (Ryan) and James F. Biggins, Ed remained a lifelong resident of Waltham and served the people of the city in some capacity his entire life.

Ed would tell you that his most cherished duty began when he returned home from Korea and married his beloved bride, Anne L. Dowdell, and the two began their family together in the city that he loved.

If you asked those who knew him, like Waltham News Tribune staff writer, Michael Barnet, he might say Ed's most cherished of hats, was more like a firefighter's helmet. Not surprising though, firefighting ran in the family. His father served for nearly 40 years and his brother became a captain.

Barnet wrote in a Tribune article, "For nearly thirty-five years, Edward Biggins has served as the voice, nerve center and memory bank of the Waltham Fire Department." Titled, 'The voice of the Fire Dept. steps down', the cover story that day was announcing Ed's retirement from being 'The' Waltham fire alarm operator.

In his younger days, Ed could be found hard at work at the Raytheon Company and later in life, at Waltham Supermarket even after retirement. He loved working, but what kept him going was his love for the people around him.

When he retired as a fire department alarm operator his colleagues referred to Ed's departure as, "the end of an era".

Mr. Edward Anthony Biggins, of Waltham, died on Wednesday, November 22, 2017 at The Commons in Lincoln. He was 84.

In addition to his work and family life, Ed was a longtime volunteer with the 'Meals-On-Wheels' program offered through Waltham's Stanley Senior Center and was a docent at the Waltham Museum. He also belonged to the PFC John M. Sullivan, USMC Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 10334 in Waltham.

In addition to his wife, Anne, he leaves his children, Edward A. Biggins, Jr. and his wife, Sandra, of Medford, Mary E. Feuer, of Torrance, California, Timothy P. Biggins, of Orlando, Florida, Lesley A. DiGregory and her husband, Paul, of Natick and Sean V. Biggins, of Los Angeles, California; his grandchildren, Ryan Biggins, Deanna and Meghan DiGregory and Allyson Looney; his sister, Mary M. Biggins and her husband, William Parker, of Waltham and many nieces and nephews.

Ed was also the brother of the late James F. Biggins, Jr.

Family and friends will honor and remember Ed's life by gathering for calling hours in The Joyce Funeral Home, 245 Main Street (Rte. 20), Waltham on Sunday November 26th from 2 to 5 p.m. and again on Monday afternoon when his funeral service will be held at 12 Noon. Following cremation Ed will be laid to rest at Massachusetts National Cemetery in Bourne.

Memorial donations may be made to Waltham Firefighters Welfare and Relief, 175 Lexington Street, Waltham, MA 02452.