Howard "Biggy" Ballou Bigelow

Howard "Biggy" Ballou Bigelow, 93, of Plainville, MA, peacefully passed away at his home on Sunday, March 26, 2017. He was the beloved husband of Helen Sampson (Linley) Bigelow. A lifelong resident of Plainville, MA, he was born there on March 13, 1924. Biggy honorably served our country in the United States Navy as a pilot First Class from 1942 until 1945, and proudly received a Testimonial of Esteem and Gratitude from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts for his faithful performance of duties during World War II. He then worked as an Aviation Supervisor and Mechanic for the U.S. Navy at the Quonset Point Naval Air Station for thirty-five years before retiring. A man of great faith and integrity, he was member of Grace Episcopal Church in North Attleboro, MA. Biggy was a proud member of the American Legion of Plainville, the North Attleboro VFW, the Bristol lodge A.F. & A.M., and was a 32nd degree Shriner. He had a deep and abiding love for aviation. Biggy enjoyed boating, spending time on the water, at Cape Cod, and at his lakeside home in Mansfield, MA and his home in Dennis Port, MA. He truly loved being with his family who will miss him dearly.In addition to his wife, he is survived by his beloved children: Mark I. Bigelow, and Marcia Lee Bigelow Pettengill and her husband, John Peter Pettengill, of Attleboro, MA. He was the cherished grandfather of Trevor, Jamie, and Seth. He leaves many dear friends.Relatives and friends are cordially invited to attend a Visitation on Friday, April 7, 2017 from 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 Noon in the "Memorial Chapel" of the Dyer-Lake Funeral Home - the national historic Colonel Obed Robinson Home, 161 Commonwealth Avenue (exit 5 off I-95 N or S, go right, ¾ mile on the left), Village of Attleboro Falls, North Attleboro. Friends and family are cordially invited to attend a Funeral Service immediately following visitation on Friday, April 7, 2017 at 12:00 Noon in the "Memorial Chapel" of the Dyer-Lake Funeral Home.Burial will immediately follow in Lakeside Cemetery, Rumford, RI.Children's room is available during the visitation and funeral service.Those in need of a local ride to the visitation may call the funeral home at (508) 695-0200 to make an advance reservation for such complimentary transportation. In lieu of flowers, donations made in Biggy's memory to either the Shriner's Hospital for Children, 51 Blossom Street, Boston, MA 02114, or to the J.E. McNeil American Legion Post 217, 44 South Street, Plainville, MA 02762, would be appreciated by his family.For additional information or to send the family a written expression of sympathy, please visit an online guest book at www.dyer-lakefuneralhome.com . Arrangements are under the direction of the Dyer-Lake Funeral Home, 161 Commonwealth Avenue, Village of Attleboro Falls, North Attleboro, MA (508) 695-0200