George S. Higgins Jr.

George S. Higgins Jr.
January 4, 1935 - July 31, 2013

LEOMINSTER -- George S. Higgins Jr., 78, of Leominster, MA, passed away peacefully at home after a long illness. He was surrounded by his family and leaves many who will sadly miss him.

He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Bessie (Beausoleil) Higgins; and his five children, George S. Higgins III and his wife, Debbie, Theresa G. (Higgins) Benjamin, Robert C. Higgins and his wife, Diane, Lisa M. (Higgins) Martin and her husband, Jim, and Laurie A. (Higgins) Leger and her husband, Donnie, all of Leominster.

Also surviving are eight grandchildren, Tiffany Hachey and her husband, Mike of TN, Melissa Dufort and her husband, Kevin of Middleboro, Ryan Martin of Leominster, Craig Martin of Clinton, Natalie Higgins, Robert Higgins Jr., Chandler Leger and Loreena Leger of Leominster; and two great-grandchildren, Alan and Meagan Hachey of TN. Brothers, Charlie Higgins and his wife, Evie of Winchendon, Dana Higgins and his wife Carol of Ashburnham; and a sister, Lucille (Higgins) Atkinson, of New York/Winchendon; along with many nieces and nephews; and his beloved pets, Miss Ellie and Simba.

George was predeceased by his father, George S.Higgins, Sr., and step mother, Lillian (Barry) Higgins in 1989, his mother, Madeline (May) Higgins in 2010, his sister, Madeline Gordon, and son-in-law, Victor Benjamin in 2012.

George was born in Winchendon, where he grew up and worked until he was 20 years old. He enlisted in the Army in 1954 and was stationed in Germany, serving as Turret Operator. After being honorably discharged from the Army, he returned to his hometown and then moved to Leominster, where he lived out his life.

He worked for most of his life in the food industry, employed by A & P, and then Victory Markets in MA and NH, finally retiring in 1997. He then began to work for his son, Robert at Checkered Flag Auto Supply in Ayer, MA for four years. His declining health forced him to retire from this job that he really loved.

Most of all, George will be remembered by his family for his dedication and love of sports, especially the Boston Bruins. He also spent many hours watching his sons and grandchildren play hockey, as well as coaching both street and ice hockey. The last game he attended was for his grandson Chandler at his high school.

He enjoyed hunting, fishing, many trips to Loon Mountain and working on his home. Some of George's other favorite past times were attending NASCAR races, watching races on TV and collecting cars. He also enjoyed riding on trains in NH and VT and building model trains and train sets. George is fondly known as the matching shirt, sneaker and hat man. Trips to the state of Maine will be greatly missed.

HIGGINS -- George's Funeral will be held Saturday, August 3, 2013, from Wright-Roy Funeral Home, Inc., 109 West St., Leominster, with a Funeral Mass at 11:00 a.m. in St. Anna's Church, 199 Lancaster St., Leominster. Burial with Military honors will be held in Evergreen Cemetery, Leominster. Calling hours will be held Friday, August 2, 2013 from 5:00 - 8:00 p.m. in the Funeral Home. Flowers may be sent, or donations may be made to: HealthAlliance Hospice Care, 25 Tucker Dr., Leominster, MA 01453. To Sign his Guestbook, Light A Candle, or Leave A Message of Condolence, please visit www.wrightroyfuneralhome.com