Celebrating Fred Wiggins (1952-2021)
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A Tribute To Fred Wiggins, by AMC member Ran Glennon:
I met Fred about 40 years ago at an Appalachian Mountain Club function. It could have been at one of our noisy monthly “Climbers’ Night” monthly parties, climbing at Quincy Quarries, a Rock Climbing Training Program or a group trip to some New England crag. He was always reliably the same with his serious initial demeanor and kept a modest profile. But, the quick friendliness and wry sense of humor immediately made him very likable.
It was a very happy journey as many of us rough cut climbers did our early carousing, met and pursued our “significant others”, settled down, and even amazingly married and had children. We were all part of the same tribe. We matured somewhat, racked up great adventures and experiences, loved nature and wilderness and created traditions, like the annual Memorial Weekend AMC group camping and recreating at Acadia. The Wiggins family held the record for the most faithfully attended over all those years, rain or shine. All that hiking and climbing over so many years. But, he would grouse and grit teeth and never admit to me, despite my consistent teasing and demanding, that he loved all that hiking, too, with family and friends.
When I ponder Fred, who I usually called Freddy, I think of a serious, mildly subdued persona, but high energy, smart and talented man. He was always an extremely reliable and competent climber that I felt safe with. He was in fact one of my favorites, particularly in recent years, always willing to share the sharp end of a rope. Always thinking, always eager. I would like to have “job shadowed” that firefighter Captain at work, a successful career that dovetailed nicely with his love of action and helping others.
Fred was a “gentleman’s gentleman”. Hardly a harsh word ever left that mouth. Fred the husband and father always seemed to do everything right. To us all, he was an obviously tender and loving man who put family first. He did not suffer foolishness gladly, but with a soft and firm touch. And a stylish manner. The quality of his husbanding and fathering show plainly with Andy and the children and speak volumes.
Life was so good and still is. We are all a bit older and feeling it some, and the kids have grown and flown. But, Fred has taken leave so unexpectedly after many recent, happy and carefree gatherings together. He was admired and respected by all. He will be greatly missed by his family, my family, friends, colleagues and everyone who had the good fortune to get to know him. Fred, rest in peace and may your family and friends give thanks for and take solace in the good memories you’ve left behind for us.
A Visitation will be held Saturday, November 6th at the Sweeney Memorial Funeral Home, 66 Concord Rd., Billerica from 1:00pm to 4:00pm. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited.
View Fred’s Tribute Archive page.
Fred is noted as a cast member of the 2005/2007 climbing film Benedictus, by Jennifer Tennican and William (Bill) Clack, along with several more recognizable names from our AMC Boston climbing community.
