Edward Michael Biggins

Edward M. Biggins, 77, of Orange Park, Florida, died in his sleep at home, surrounded by family, on February 25, 2019. He was born in Will County, Illinois, the son of the late James and Elizabeth Biggins. He was active duty in the U.S. Marine Corps for three years, serving as an aircraft radio and radar technician with USMC VMA-332 in the Vietnam-era. He was a switchman on AT & Santa Fe Railroad and a brakeman on the EJ & E Railroad. He was the owner of Downer Shell Oil Station, Joliet Union 76, Lorenzo Road Amoco, Ed’s Auto Supply, ABA Contracting, Siding, Roofing, and Guttermobile, and Window Replacement, and Air City Express Trucking Company. He worked with Habitat for Humanity shoulder-to-shoulder with his family, loved to feed hitchhikers and the homeless, and tell the stories. He was a lifetime member of the U.S. Marine Corps League.
Ed met his wife of 52 years, Susan Biggins, while attending a wedding in Minnesota. It was love at first sight. He was a devout Catholic, loved God, and embraced the Christian example, always happy to help anyone in need. Always mindful of our forebears and where we came from, he strove to raise up the next generation. He believed in education, hard work, and living by the sweat of your brow, as well as the importance of a personal life and having a little fun. He was a hard taskmaster and a jokester, but he always kept a set of car keys to hand out and some cash for your pocket. He was devoted to his aunts and uncles and to mentoring his many nieces, nephews, and others along the way. He doted on all the children in the family.
A very blessed man, he is survived by six children with wife Sue; Colleen (Todd), Kate (John), Edward (Becky), William (Shnea), James (Julia), and Keleigh. He is also survived by his thirteen grandchildren; Téa, Cameron, Tola, Evelyn, Ella, William, Evan, Aidan, Declan, Keagan, Reilly, Norah, and Ciaran, as well as numerous, beloved nieces and nephews, and great nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his brother James (Shirley), his sister Elizabeth Connor (the late Patrick), and his sister Cathi Biggins. He is survived by his sister Mary Kinzler (Gordon), and his beloved twin brother William Biggins.

He is dearly loved, and he will be missed and remembered. We will always carry his love and the lessons we learned from him wherever we go.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Saint Jude Children’s Research Hospital at www.stjude.org and the Marine Corps League,by check payable to: “Gen. Geiger MCL Detach. 1047” and mailed to: Marine Corps League Detach 1047
34 Industrial Loop East, Orange Park, FL 32073.

A Funeral Mass will be held at Holy Cross Catholic Church Saturday March 16, 2019 at 10:00 a.m. 505 26th Street West, Palmetto Florida. The Interment will follow the Mass at Garden of Peace Holy Cross Catholic Church, Palmetto, Florida.