Jack Wigmanich, 76, passed away September 27, 2018 from injuries suffered in an accident at his home in Fallbrook, CA. Jack was born in Boston on June 30, 1942 to parents John and Ann Wigmanich, and grew up in Hingham, MA. He adored his loving mother and often tried to recreate some of her amazing recipes, such as Lithuanian sandwiches, watermelon rinds, and oatmeal cookies to name a few.
He moved to California when he was 21 where he quickly found his calling as a "people person" and "California Ambassador." He made a nearly unlimited number of close, life-long friends both from his very successful and influential 45 year career in the carpet business (turning co-workers and customers into friends), and his numerous camping excursions with his beloved wife of nearly 35 years, Joanne. He organized large group camping trips multiple times a year to beautiful places in California such as Pismo Beach, Carpinteria, Sycamore Canyon, and San Elijo, but his coup de grace was the annual Labor Day trip to Riverside Campground in Big Sur, which was known as "Camp Wiggy." Camp Wiggy, a nearly 50 year tradition, featured dancing, fire breathers, singing, gourmet meals for 40+ people, nightmare stories for the children of the infamous and still on the run "Bloody Beard" of Big Sur, hikes to the beach, backgammon, rummy cube, and charging Armadillos.
Ten years ago, Jack and Joanne retired and adventured across the US and Canada in their Motorhome, the "Great Shaq." This was quite an upgrade from the VW Westfalia Bus that Jack and Joanne had when they started out!
In 2011, they relocated from their Agoura Hills home to their "farm" in Fallbrook. Jack loved this 1-acre property with fantastic sunset views. Sitting on his patio with a Jack Daniels and his honey Joanne by his side, there wasn't a sunset that he didn't take credit for. Along with taking credit of the sun setting, he would brag and share his bounty of his citrus crops. His children and friends loved coming to their house where they could laugh, frolic and explore at the "farm," have cocktails, and share stories of camping, campers, and (God forbid) politics. Taking his grandchildren out for a scary ride on his tractor lawn mower across the property fed his soul.
Jack loved the outdoors, and over the years enjoyed hiking, skiing, golf, tennis, and bicycling. He grew up a block from the beach and loved the ocean. He was a master Backgammon player and mentor, and adored his grandchildren and nieces and nephews. He always had a camera around his neck and enjoyed taking beautiful and silly pictures of his friends, family and landscapes. Jack also enjoyed tinkering with gadgets in his garage – creating and fixing things. If only we could have figured out what the hell he was working on…
Everyone who knew Jack had an intimate friendship with him. He had a way of making everyone feel special, unique, and loved. He loved making people laugh – he was happy, upbeat, optimistic, and never took his family or friends for granted. He lived a life of laughter, pranks, joy, and love. We will miss him and his silly antics terribly.
A celebration of Jack's life will be held in Fallbrook on October 20.
Jack is survived by his wife Joanne, children Lexanne Bridges, Christine Robles, John Wigmanich III, and Tracey Lonson, his siblings William Wigmanich, Judy McAuliff, and Jean Odland, grandchildren Niko, Kylie, Emma, and Kash, his ex-wife Alexis Nassif, and many nieces, nephews, and loving in-laws.