The Westwood Historical Society has presented John (Jack) Wiggin with its Quarter Century Award this year. This award recognizes a Westwood resident for contributions to our community for more than 25 years - and Jack certainly has 25 plus years living and serving Westwood!
Jack was born and raised in Westwood and is the third generation of his family to be part of the community. He attended Westwood public schools through the 8th grade and then went to Xaverian Brothers High School. Jack has served a total of 14 years on the Planning Board and served as chair three times. He was also instrumental in providing direction for projects such as University Station, the Islington Fire Station and the new police station. Other committees and boards include: the Housing Partnership and Fair Housing Committee, Economic Development Advisory Board, Open Space and Recreation Task Force, and the Town Centers Planning Committee. Jack is currently serving on the Comprehensive Plan Steering Committee and the Community Electricity Aggregation Working Group. He was the recipient of the John J. Cronin Public Service Award in 2009.
Jack was also on the Hale Reservation Board of Directors from 2002 to 2012, serving as vice president and then president. During that time, he led the development of a master plan for Hale, served as the chairman of the Land and Facilities Committee and helped launch their first capital campaign. Jack moved to the Hale Corporate Board in 2012, where he currently serves.
Jack and his wife, Jane, live in Westwood and have three children: Katherine, John, and Kara. He coached recreational youth basketball and soccer for all three of his children’s teams and served on the Board of Westwood Youth Soccer. John has been involved in the Xaverian Brothers High School Alumni Association and is a long-standing member of St. Margaret Mary Parish.
Previous recipients of the Quarter Century Award have included: Yetta and Alexander Fisher, Barbara and Allan Beale, Donald MacLellan, Allen Baker, Richard Youlden, Ellie and Roy London, Lillian Perkins, Robert Wood, Gordon Youlden, Tom Dunn, Joseph Weider, Emlen and Jim Wheeler, Duncan and Ellen McFarland, Shirley Howard, Joe and Joy Clancy, Irene and Ralph Buonopane, Barbara Friedman, Mike Beaumont, Joan Swann, Lura Provost, Russ and Marilyn Downes, Ann and Jerry Cronin, Joan Murphy, Barbara and Sam Hayes, Tony Antonellis, Charles and Nancy Donahue, and John Pritchard.
