Robert I. Bigley

Bob was a man loved by so many. He went through his life with many vocations, selling things, such as furniture, meats, men’s suits, farming implements, and vacuum cleaners. He was an entrepreneur, starting many different ventures over his life, and over the last 20 years or so of his career, he also repaired vacuums.

Traveling, theater, movies, music, reading, painting and visiting family anywhere were things he loved. He enjoyed telling stories. Probably the most important of all were his children and grandchildren. He was incredibly proud of them and EVERYTHING they did.

He had very strong relationships with family members of many generations, doing an amazing job of keeping in touch with so many people. He had that special quality of remembering specifics about people’s lives, and taking an active interest in those things, making the person he was talking to feel special.

He was introduced to his future wife, Alice, by his cousin, Perry, and they later married in August 1959. They remained married for 22 years, when he moved to California to pursue career options. He moved back to the Cleveland area in 2017 to be near to his daughter, Jo, and the family in Ohio, as he was having a harder time caring for himself. Shortly after moving to Cleveland, he met the love of his life, De Friedman. They have been living together for the last 3 years, caring for each other and enjoying many things together, such as reading, theater, and dining out.

Devoted father of Dr. Lorne Bigley (Dr. Beth Moore) of Eugene, OR and Joanne "Jo" Laird (John Laird - deceased) of Medina, OH; loving grandfather of Dr. Rachel Bigley and Zachary Bigley, Dr. Jacob Laird and Jordan Laird; dear brother of Ferne Blaugrund of CA and Bruce Bigley (Pat) of CA.

The family received friends at BERKOWITZ-KUMIN-BOOKATZ MEMORIAL CHAPEL, 1985 S Taylor Rd, Cleveland Heights, Ohio 44118 on Tuesday, September 12, 2023.

Owatonna Lodge #62 Pythian service took place at 10:45 AM followed by funeral services at 11 AM.

To view this service please navigate to https://youtu.be/w9RV4F57l7g?si=KuPo8wW9jNg9_qPe

Burial was at Chesterland Memorial Park, 11521 Chillicothe Rd, Chesterland, Ohio 44026.

The family will again receive friends FOLLOWING THE BURIAL UNTIL 4 PM at Orchard Hills Center, 11414 Caves Road, Chesterland, Ohio 44026.

Contributions are suggested to the American Cancer Society or the Multiple Sclerosis Society.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.bkbmc.com for the Bigley family.