Allen Roof Wiggin

Allen R. Wiggin, age 74, of Moultonborough, New Hampshire, surrounded by family and friends, passed away on November 7th at 10:30 pm, at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center Hospital due to complications from a Stroke. Allen R. Wiggin was born on May 3, 1941, at Laconia Hospital and was adopted directly by the late Mary Denny Wiggin and John Louis Wiggin. John, his father, a jazz pianist, served as a United States Diplomat which allowed Allen to attend schools around the world at a young age. Allen attended schools in India, Germany and Brazil with Jesuit Priests, German speaking and Portugese speaking children. Through his parents, he met some of the Jazz legends including Louis Armstrong, Lena Horne, Benny Goodaman and the Dorsey Brothers. He returned to New Hampshire where he rounded out his education at Moultonborough school, Quimby school and Interlakes, earning his GED. During his early education he learned to hunt and fish and farm from many of the local families and New Hampshire Fish and Game officers. He learned to sail and navigate on Squam Lake and made many friends around the lake. While in High School, for fun, he began working for the sled-dog greats: Jean and Keith Bryar Sr. at Norvik Kennels and Cynthia and Dick Molburg at Tamakwa Kennels. With them, he developed a strong affinity for the canine, which lasted all his life. He trained sled dogs, worked, and laughed with them throughout his life. He learned a great deal from his sled dog families and cherished his relationships with them until he died. He joined the United States Navy in 1960. He served as a cook on board the USS Nantahala, crossed the Equator, visiting foreign shores around the world and was honorably discharged. He returned to Moultonborough and was a chef at multiple restaurants around the Lakes Region until having an automobile accident resulting in a broken neck and back, from which doctors advised him he would never walk again. He proved them wrong. Upon recovering, he moved to New York and began training guide dogs for Guiding Eyes for the Blind. Spending three years training guide dogs and working with the vision impaired, he then took a job with the US Postal Service as a Mailman, delivering mail and for fun he worked in several restaurants in the area. He married JoAnn Portanova in Purchase, New York, on November 23, 1968, and was welcomed into her huge Italian family. He and his wife JoAnn fell in love with the Doberman Pinscher breed during this time. They trained and showed Dobermans and owned the first fawn colored female ever to be pointed on the dog show circuit. At the request of his mother, he and JoAnn returned to Moultonborough to help her manage the family property. At that time, he started working as a truck driver with Gilbert Block Company and became the manager at their satellite store in Tamworth, NH. Having shown and raised Dobermans in New York, he brought them home to Moultonborough and was asked by his sled dog families what he planned to do with these short-haired, warm weather, funny looking dogs? He answered by entering a five dog team of Dobermans in the Tamworth, NH sled dog race. The five dogs came to the race in the back of a Ford Pinto station wagon where the stayed warm until race time. After starting at the back of the pack each day, he came in first place at the end of both days, simply to prove that he and the Dobermans could do it! He replaced the sled dog on the top of the trophy with a Doberman and told people that even the race officials knew he and the Dobermans would win! Next he purchased a tractor trailer and began his career driving up and down the East Coast, hauling freight. Quickly he branched out to drive all 48 States. Needing a co-driver, he asked Doug Murphy to drive with him, and oh, the adventures they had while driving cross country. They became as close as brothers and still were at the time of his death. After many years and seeing the country, he decided upon yet another career change and became a horse logger. This began his infatuation with horses and reignited his love of farm animals. He purchased a three seat surrey and brought brides to church with the horse and carriage, enlisting his family to assist. Knowing his affection for and knowledge of dogs, Moultonborough Police Chief, James Woodman, asked him to join the Moultonborough Police force as the Animal Control Officer for Moultonborough. He enjoyed responding to calls ranging from reports of stray dogs to skunks invading homes and businesses. He also drove a school bus in the Moultonborough School district and the winning superstitious boys varsity basketball team only wanted him to drive the bus to every away game,...and he did. He was elected a Selectman in the Town of Moultonborough which began his career in politics. Next, he ran for and won a seat as the NH State Representative for Moultonborough. While a State Rep., he became vice-chairman of the Fish and Game Committee, enjoying his time working with then Governor Gregg. Believing in term limits, and having served two successful terms as State Rep., he sat for and passed the New Hampshire Real-estate exam and worked with Lamprey and Lamprey of Center Harbor. Having grown up in the lakes region he had extensive knowledge of many of the homes in the area and enjoyed helping people find the right home and telling them all about the history of the home they had purchased. Once both of his sons had graduated from high school, he and JoAnn moved back to New York, this time to work as Farm Manager for Wilhelmine Waller on her estate/farm in Bedford Hills, New York, managing the care of her stable of retired race and show horses as well as maintaining the extensive grounds on her estate. Missing Moultonborough, he returned after several years and began driving tractor trailer for Gilbert Block Company. He was approached by the Sandwich Fair Association, asking if he would serve as Livestock Superintendent. He agreed and was later elected Vice-President of the Sandwich Fair Association. He held the dual positions of Livestock Superintendent and VP at the time of his death. He loved and respected all of the animal exhibitors at the Sandwich Fair and took great pride in his efforts on behalf of the livestock exhibitors and he looked forward to working with them each year. No matter where he was in the world, he always made sure he returned to New Hampshire for Sandwich Fair and Thanksgiving. Allen was outspoken and held firm opinions. He was quick with a hug and kiss and enjoyed a good joke! He always had the best interest of New Hampshire, Moultonborough, Sandwich Fair, animals and family firmly in his heart. He would give you the shirt off his back and was always ready to step in and lend a hand. Having traveled the world and lived in many locations he always returned to Moultonborough and his family farm on Bean Road. He will be sorely missed. He is survived by: his loving wife of 47 years, JoAnn (Portanova) Wiggin; his daughter Lucinda (Leach) Connell; his sons, Allen J. Wiggin and Jason Wiggin; his half-brother Tom Wiggin, and multiple grandchildren, great-grandchildren and nieces.

Tributes

Allen Roof Wiggin

May 3, 1941 - November 7, 2015