James F. Higgins

Mr. Higgins, 88, of Freehold, died Jan. 30, 2010, at CentraState Medical Center, Freehold Township. He was born at his family’s farm in Colts Neck and was a 1941 graduate of Freehold High School. He served as a technical sergeant in the U.S. Army 9th Air Force, 9th Bomber Command, 99th Bombardment Wing Medium, 391st Bomb Group, headquartered in the European theater of operations during World War II. Mr. Higgins established the Higgins Memorial Home in Rumson in 1952 and moved the funeral home to Freehold in 1954. He had served on the Freehold Board of Education for 28 years, including several terms as president. He also was a former member and chairman of the Freehold Borough Planning Board, where he served for 18 years, and was a founding director and chairman of Hudson Manor, Freehold. Mr. Higgins was involved in many clubs and organizations and was awarded the 1996 John G. McGackin Award for his contributions to Freehold. His wife, Angela Nolan Higgins, died in 1997. His sister, Mary Higgins Kowalski, died in 2008. Surviving are two sons and daughters-in-law, J. Nolan and Christine S. Higgins and Gregory C. and Eileen Higgins; two brothers and a sister-in-law law, John J. and Marian Higgins and Robert C. Higgins; four grandchildren, and a great-granddaughter. The Higgins Memorial Home, Freehold, was in charge of arrangements. A funeral liturgy was celebrated at St. Rose of Lima Church, Freehold, followed by interment at the parish cemetery, Freehold Township.