Obituary of John Patrick Higgins

Norman Dean Home for Services 16 Righter Avenue Denville, New Jersey 07834 (973) 627-1880 Star Ledger, web site—No 1x Tuesday Daily Record 1x Wednesday Neighbor News John Patrick “Pat” Higgins, 72, passed away at his residence in Rockaway, NJ on Sunday May 6, 2012. Pat was born in St. Louis Missouri, and was a resident of Ringoes, NJ for 24 years before moving to Rockaway in 1996. Pat served in the United States Navy during the Cuban Blockade and then served in the Naval Reserve In-Shore Undersea Warfare Division for an additional 21 years. He was a Fire Protection Engineer and Insurance Inspector employed with the Mutual Service Office, Inc in Glen Rock NJ for 45 years. He was a senior advisor to MSO, authoring numerous technical journals and providing technical seminars to the insurance industry. Pat was a member of Grace Episcopal Church in Madison NJ, the Church of St. Mary the Virgin in New York City and the Trinity Episcopal Cathedral in Trenton, NJ. At St. Mary’s and Trinity Cathedral, Pat was deeply involved with the church’s maintenance, fire protection systems, insurance consultation as well as senior acolyte and thurifer. Pat was a member of the Amwell Valley Fire Company and the Amwell Valley Ambulance Corp in Ringoes, NJ for more than 20 years. He was also a member of the National Fire Protection Association NFPA, and served on several of its committees, offering much technical expertise and guidance. Pat is survived by his partner of 47 years, Sean Thomas A. Cassidy and his partner of 17 years, James R. Alden, both of Rockaway, NJ, his sister, Janet Robinson of St Charles, Mo; his brother Donald Higgins of St Charles, Mo; his five nieces and nephews: Susan Grzyb, Kelly Glass, Donald Higgins Jr, Timothy Robinson and Donald Robinson Jr; and many great nieces and nephews. Pat’s wake will be conducted from Norman Dean Home for Services at 16 Righter Ave, Denville NJ (www.normandean.com, please go to the website and light a candle in memory of Pat). Relatives and friends will be received on Friday May 11th at the funeral home from 2-4 and 7-9PM. The Requiem Eucharist will be celebrated at 11:00AM on Saturday May 12th at Grace Episcopal Church in Madison, NJ, followed by a reception in Grace Hall sponsored by Pat’s partners Sean and Jim as well as his employer, Mutual Service Office, Inc. In lieu of flowers, donations to Grace Episcopal Church Building and Grounds fund (4 Madison Ave, Madison NJ 07940) or the Saint Clare’s Foundation (140 Diamond Spring Road, Denville NJ 07834) would be thoughtfully appreciated.