Bernard Walburg Jr Wigger was born February 22, 1951 and passed away on September 23, 2015. Ben was predeceased by his parents Bernard Sr. and Johanna Wigger, sister Sophie Junker, brother Rudy Wigger, nephew Micheal Junker and brother in-law Bill Niel. He is survived by his wife of 43 years Melania; children Pamela Wigger and Charles Wigger (Mona Krahn); grandchildren Liam and Logan Wigger, sisters Marianne Neill, Jeannette Derksema (Bob) and Angie Kirkwood (Glen), and numerous nieces and nephews. Ben was born in Almelo, Holland and immigrated to Canada at the age of 6. He attended St. Joseph’s High School in Edmonton, Alberta and post secondary educations at the University of Alberta for computer sciences and NAIT for accounting. Ben married his high school sweetheart Mela Filipowski in 1972 in Edmonton, Alberta. He worked many years as the Secretary Treasurer in the School Districts of Sherwood Park and Morinville, Alberta. Together Ben and Mel raised their two children in Sherwood Park and Morinville. Ben, a proud and devoted husband and father, enjoyed nothing more than being surrounded by family. Special memories included family weekends at the cabin at Long Lake and snowmobile and motorcycle trips with family and friends. Ben’s career path advanced as he worked for several years with the Alberta Pension Services as a systems analyst and later at Agresso as a systems analyst/programmer. Ben and Mela moved to Comox in 2008 to enjoy their retirement and to be closer to their grandchildren. His favourite role as grandpa included several “no rules” movie nights with Liam and Logan staying up far past their bed time eating buttered popcorn and cheesies. Ben was an avid collector and builder of model airplanes and classic motorcycles; his talents to build and create were limitless.
Ben will always be remembered as a hard working, witty, and dedicated family man. He will be sadly missed by his family and friends.
Flowers gratefully declined. Please send donations to the Canadian Cancer Society and/or the Canadian Diabetes Society.
A service for Ben will be held at a future date in Edmonton, Alberta.