John James HIGGINS Sr.

HIGGINS, John James Sr. John James Higgins Sr., Colonel, USA, Retired, of Avon and Black Point Beach in Niantic, beloved husband of Amelia "Amy" (Benusis) Higgins, died peacefully on July 31, 2010, surrounded by his loving family at the age of 90. He was born Jan. 25, 1920, in New Haven, the son of the late John and Catherine (Eiting) Higgins. Colonel Higgins was a 35-year career soldier of the Connecticut Army National Guard. He enlisted in the 169th Infantry Regiment, 43d Infantry Division prior to the beginning of World War II. His unit was activated in 1940 and he served in the Pacific Theater of War where he saw action in Guadalcanal, New Georgia, New Guinea and the Philippines. During his time in the Pacific, he received a "Mustang" battlefield Commission to Second Lieutenant for meritorious service and was awarded the Combat Infantryman's Badge, Bronze Star for Valor with two Oak Leaf Clusters, and the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with four Battle Stars. He was also called to Active Duty during the Korean War as a member of NATO forces in Germany. Colonel Higgins was the author of a manuscript detailing the History of the First Connecticut Infantry Regiment, which was published in March 1963. During the course of his 35-year career, he served in every major leadership position of the Connecticut Army National Guard, which included the State Operations and Training Officer and Chief of Staff. When he retired from active service in 1976, he was the last World War II officer of the 43d Division serving in the Connecticut National Guard. Besides his military career, Colonel Higgins was a skilled woodworker, having built his own home in New Britain upon returning home from World War II and building and restoring furniture in his home workshop. He was an avid reader, especially of military history. He was an active member of Gildo T. Consolini VFW Post 3272 in Avon and thoroughly enjoyed swapping war stories with his fellow comrades in arms. He also cherished spending time with his friends and family at his cottage at Black Point Beach. Above all, Colonel Higgins's biggest love was his family. He was the family patriarch who took great pleasure in expressing his love and toasting his family during every family gathering. He was an extremely proud father, grandfather and great grandfather. In addition to his wife Amy of 68 years, he is survived by his loving children, twin daughters Amie and her husband Roy Pinette, Colonel, USA, Ret. of West Melbourne, FL, Joan and her husband Peter Lavieri of Avon, and his son John J. Higgins, Jr. and his wife Tammy of Avon, his five grandchildren, whom he took great care and pride in, Stephen C. Budney, Alicia Buzzeo and her husband Mathew, Catherine Pinette, Tara Lynn Higgins and John J. Higgins III. He is also survived by two great grandchildren who were the light of his life, Norah Grace Amelia and Anna Catherine Buzzeo, a step granddaughter Lisa Pinette and a great grandson Dylan Pesino and sisters-in-law Eva Dyckman and Helen Dudzinski and many other dear friends, nieces, nephews. He was preceded in death by his only brother, Bernard Higgins of Miami, FL, his beloved niece, Helen Marquis and many close friends. His family is grateful for the loving care John received at Avon Health Center from the South Wing Staff, most especially Annette Foisey, R.N., B.S.N., Hope Slockbower, R.N. and Pam McDermitt, R.N. "If love could have saved you, you would have lived forever." His family will receive relatives and friends at the Carmon Funeral Home & Family Center, 301 Country Club Rd., Avon, on Wednesday, August 4 from 5-8 p.m. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated Thursday, August 5 at a time and place to be announced. Interment with full military honors will follow in St. Ann's Cemetery, Avon. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to either Avon VFW Post 3272, c/o Donald J. Perreault 555 Huckleberry Hill Rd., Avon, CT 06001 or the CT State Veterans Memorial Inc. c/o Rockville Bank, PO 660, Rockville, CT 06066. For condolences please visit www.carmonfuneralhome.com.