John Cleveland Wiggins, Sr., 71, passed away Saturday, April 16, 2016 at his residence. He was born on October 24, 1944 and raised in Brunswick. John married Gay at the age of 20. He worked as a short order cook and chef for several years. In 1969 he found his true career as a dredge man, starting as a deckhand retiring in 2008 as a lever man heavy equipment operator. He worked in several countries including Iran, Colombia, South America and Puerto Rico. John worked on the Big Dig in Boston, Massachusetts. He also worked on the clean-up of the World Trade Center, as well as many states on the East Coast and Gulf Coast. John retired as a member of the union I.U.O.E. after 45 years of service. During his time off work, he enjoyed going to auctions, doing woodworking and he loved fishing. John loved his children and grandchildren and his many, many family members. He will be sadly missed. John was preceded in death by his mother, Betty Jean Fagan; his father, Walter Cleveland Wiggins; and a daughter, Deborah Ann Akins. He is survived by his loving wife, Gay Ethleen Wiggins; 2 sons, John Cleveland Wiggins, Jr. of Brunswick and Mark Thomas Wiggins (Gail) of New Jersey; 2 daughters, Teresa Gay Jones of St. Simons Island and Tammy Lynn Sweat (Johnny) of Blackshear, GA; a sister Diane Tuggle of Cairo, GA; a brother, James Wiggins (Stephanie) of Thomasville, GA; 11 grandchildren, 14 great grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. A memorial service will be held at 3:00 pm on Wednesday, April 20, 2016 in the Chapel of Brunswick Memorial Park Funeral Home with Pastor David Bohannon officiating. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Hospice of the Golden Isles. Brunswick Memorial Park Funeral Home is serving the family of John Cleveland Wiggins, Sr. Please sign the online guestbook at www.brunswickmemorialpark.com .