Franklin Lincoln A. Riggs, 90, died March 23, 2007, at Mountain Ridge Center after a long and rewarding life.
Linc was born in Somerville, MA on August 10, 1916, son of Faye O. and Clara (Carolyn) G. (Ferrin) Riggs.
He lived in Groton, MA where he graduated from high school in 1935, whereupon he entered the US Army, serving in the Medical Corps. After serving his country, he returned to the Groton area and while working at various employs, he attended Fitchburg State Teacher’s College where he earned his Bachelor’s degree in 1958. Linc started his teaching career in Lunenburg, MA in Industrial Arts. After moving to Gilmanton, NH in 1964, he taught in the same field in Bristol and Tilton, but spent most of his teaching career in Laconia. During his summers, he worked on the lakes and ponds for the NH State Marine Patrol.
He was a Master Mason in the Tahattawan Lodge of Littleton, MA and was presented his Fifty Year Veteran’s Medal in July of 1994, by the Grand Lodge of Vermont. Linc loved the outdoors, fishing, hunting, gardening, working on his home and planning gatherings in the “Casino” at “The Inn”. For many years while he lived in Gilmanton, Linc and his friends and family enjoyed happy hours making syrup and cider. He held a Master Electrician’s License, and was always willing to lend a helping hand to friends and neighbors, especially if the projects allowed him to use his talents and knowledge of carpentry, electrical wiring, and plumbing. After Linc’s retirement from teaching, he lived in Tilton for several years. Upon the death of his second wife, Esther, he moved to Lemington, VT. Linc resided there until 2003 when he sold his home and rotated stays with his daughters until late in 2004. Prior to his short residency at Mountain Ridge Center, Linc was loved and cared for by the family and staff at the Peabody Home in Franklin, NH.
He was predeceased by his first wife, Edith L (Shields) Riggs in 1952, his second wife, Esther (Belcher) Riggs in 1983, and his daughter Doris M. (Riggs) Robichaud in 2004.
The family includes two daughters, Carolyn Riggs, of Amherst, NH and Lura F. Riggs, of Franklin, NH; eight grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.
A calling hour will be held on Sunday, April 22, 2007 from 1:00-2:00PM.followed by a celebration of his life at 2:00 PM in the Carriage House of the Wilkinson-Beane Funeral Home, 164 Pleasant Street, Laconia, NH.
Burial will be at a later date for the family’s convenience.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to one of the following: LHS Class of 1972 Memorial Scholarship, c/o Lakes Region Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 7312, Gilford, NH 03247 or In Memory of Linc Riggs, NHCTC Scholarships, 379 Belmont Road, Laconia, NH 03246. Linc always said, “Anyone that has a skill and can work with his hands will always be able to make a living.”
Wilkinson-Beane Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 164 Pleasant Street, Laconia, NH is in charge of the arrangements.