Milton Robert Bigham

Milton Robert Bigham was born at his grandmother’s home in Winsor, California in 1916. He died peacefully April 15th surrounded by his family that loved him. Milton attended California schools, including Golden Gate College. His professional life started as an underwriter beginning in 1936, which led to a distinguished career within the insurance industry. Milton was a highly sought after executive who traveled the world, including South America, Russia, and Europe. He retired as the Senior Vice Chairman of the Hartford Insurance Company in 1976. His extensive professional experience was instrumental in helping organize a coalition of reinsurance providers for ERIX, including Lloyd’s of London, dealing essentially with the development of nuclear energy facilities. In 1980, Milton became the President of Atlantica Boavista, a Brazilian insurance company, in Manhattan, New York.

His personal life was just as rich and rewarding as his professional life. He married his high school sweetheart Bettie Kennedy in 1940 and shared 63 exceptional years together with her until her death in 2004. Milton and Bettie are survived by three loving daughters and their husbands, Sharon DeVaughn of Hawaii, Deborah and Robert Beard of Florida, and Cynthia and Michael DeMeo of Connecticut. Milton was best known as PaPa by his grandchildren, Jody (Dean) Najarian, Tom (Marucci) Beard, Jalina (Phil) Mhyana, Jessica (Dana) DeMeo-Albrycht, Hillary (Michael) Norton, Brenden Beard and his great-grandchildren Chelsea Hack-Najarian, Akychame and Lvov Mhyana, Attalai Beard, Scottlyn Albrycht and Kingston Norton.

Milt was lucky enough to find a new love in Mary Tridico. When they married in 2005, Milt’s family continued to expand with the addition of Mary’s son Donald (Virginia) Linick of Florida. Milt and Mary’s grandsons Steven Linick and Brian (Tiffany) Linick and their great-granddaughter Emery Linick. Milt and Mary, fondly known as M&M by their many friends, enjoyed their Tropical Sands Christian Church community. Cruises and travel to Disney, Las Vegas, Hawaii, and the Caribbean brought countless hours of joy and memories to them both.

Whether listening to jazz music, learning to fly or going across country in a motor home, Milt had a passion for life that was addictive. He was adored and admired by everyone he met, he was a role model and inspiration to many throughout his life, and will be greatly missed. A deeply humble man, he was always more genuinely concerned for those around him than himself. PaPa had a generous heart and a caring spirit. The devotion and loyalty to his family was the core of who he was. His legacy will endure through the generations that follow and the many lives that he has touched.

Milton will be honored at Tropical Sands Christian Church, 2726 Burns Road, Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33410, Sunday, April 17, 2011 at 1:00 PM. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to Hospice of Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, Tropical Sands Christian Church, or a charity of choice

Arrangements under the direction of Dorsey-E. Earl Smith Memory Gardens Funeral Home, Lake Worth, FL.