Obituary of Davis E. Wiggin

Davis E. Wiggin died peacefully this past Sunday, November 13, 2011. The son of Paul E. Wiggin and Bernice Davis Wiggin, he was born on July 8, 1924 in Monmouth , Maine . Davis primarily grew up in Framingham , MA where he graduated from Framingham High School . From there, he joined the US Marine Corps and served in the Pacific where he was stationed aboard "The Biloxi" during WWII. He participated in 9 Major battles including the Marshall Islands , the Marianas, Iwo Jima, and Okinawa . Following World War II, Davis enrolled in Wentworth Institute of Technology. After graduating, he started playing semi-professional baseball and was working as a draftsman, which was not for him. So he continued his education at the University of Maine , where he earned a BA in 1954. While there he played baseball & football, receiving Yankee Conference Awards for each sport, every year from 1951 – 1954. Because Davis 's batting average never fell below .500, the Philadelphia Athletics offered him a contract. However, Davis instead chose to start his teaching and football-coaching career at Maine Central Institute in Pittsfield , Maine . One of his teams set a record by finishing the year undefeated, untied and un-scored upon. This record has not yet been broken. In 1959, Davis then took a position at Maine Maritime in Castine , Maine as the academy's athletic director. There, he also coached football, baseball and golf. His first love was always football. He coached at MMA until 1966 and in September 2007, he was inducted into Maine Maritime's Hall of Fame. Davis continued his career in Manchester , CT where he was the town's athletic director. Davis coached the Manchester High Football Team from 1966 – 1973 where he achieved his 100th win. He cherished the memories of each young man he coached and often told stories of their play. It was clear that he dearly loved them all. He finished his career as an athletic director in Glastonbury , CT from 1974 – 1983. Upon the death of his father, Dr. Paul Wiggin, in 1969, he became the Director of New England Music Camp. He remained in this position for over 40 years and dedicated his life to the students who came to study during the summer. Davis found great joy in being a part of the lives of faculty, staff and students at NEMC and loved attending their performances that enhanced the lives of others. Davis was the still President of the NEMC camp corporation at the time of his death. Davis is survived by his wife of 58 years, Jeanette Hovey Wiggin. He had three children: John Davis Wiggin and his wife Kim Wiggin, of Old Orchard Beach , Me, Lori Wiggin Swanbon, of Bolton , CT, and Scott Allen Wiggin (deceased 2010). He also had five grandchildren: Paul A. Wiggin, Andrew R. Wiggin, Matthew Davis Wiggin, and Briana and Paige Swanbon. In addition, his brother & sister-in-law, Melvin & Phyllis Hovey, his niece, Debra Lee Hovey, nephew, Mark Hovey, and beloved nieces, Halligan Lyons, Jessie Myles, and Linda Freeny, survive Davis . Davis was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather, and was a valued friend to many. He devoted his life to the education and enrichment of young people. All of us will sorely miss him. A memorial service will be held at St. John's Episcopal Church in Essex , CT at 9:30am on Saturday, November 26, 2011. A military burial will be conducted at the state's Veterans' Cemetery, followed by a reception at Luce restaurant in Middletown , CT