George "John" Higbee

1939 - 2025

George "John" Higbee

August 1, 1939 - November 8, 2025

George (John) Higbee, 86, of Mays Landing, N.J., passed away peacefully on November 8, 2025. Born at home in Ventnor, N.J., and raised thereafter in Atlantic City, N.J., he knew hardship early - yet he refused to let it define him. Through sheer determination, faith, and hard work, he rose above every obstacle to build a life full of purpose, service, and unbreakable love. He refused to let unfortunate circumstances write his story. A proud Veteran of the U.S. Army National Guard, he served out of Fort Drum, N.Y., where he learned to operate a Patton Tank. Through the late 1950's and 1960's he drove a truck as a salesman and Teamster for Kramer Beverage and Atlantic Beverage/Schmidt's of Philadelphia Beer and Ale, hauling deliveries all over South Jersey where he met so many wonderful people. By night, many knew him as the unflappable bouncer at the Gables Bar in Margate, N.J. Keeping the peace with a firm grip, and a grin that said trouble had met its match. By the early 1970's he decided to trade in his Teamsters Card for a badge and after graduating from the 150th Municipal Class at Seagirt N.J., where he was nominated to be President of his class, he went on to serve in Galloway Township for 27 years, retiring in 1999 as the most highly decorated police officer in Township history at that time. Whether in a suit for Schmidts or a uniform for Galloway, his appearance and looking "sharp" was always his top priority. A devoted husband to his wife Gina, their love story spanned 57 years, forged in good times and tough times, but always polished by laughter. Together they built a beautiful home where they spent countless hours with their horses, dogs, cats and geese. In his off time you could find him mowing, planting, brush hogging, walking with the dogs or tending to the horses. Pulling their camper across almost every state in the USA and Canada, the Wild West was always his favorite place to visit. In retirement, when TCM wasn't rolling the Westerns over and over, he was an avid player at the Harrahs poker tables and enjoyed weekly poker nights with friends. John loved sitting on the front porch admiring nature and most of all the United States Flag that he always flew proudly outside his home. He is survived by his wife, Gina Higbee (Stafford); his brother Edward Higbee, his children, Johnny Higbee, Debbie Higbee (Lake), Jimmy Higbee (Marylou Curcio), Joey Higbee (Marsha Carlson), Darlene Higbee (DeSimone), Jeffrey Higbee (Pauline Morel), Donna Higbee (Steve Garrison), Gina Higbee (Mick Sacco); 17 grandchildren; 7 great-grandchildren; his Teamsters family; his brothers and sisters in blue and a myriad of friends and neighbors who called him "The Duke," "The Inspector" or simply "Big John." He was preceded in death by his mother Anna Mary Miller of Margate, N.J., and father Earl Skull Higbee from Atlantic City, N.J.; his brothers Earl Higbee, Arthur Higbee, Donald Higbee, and sister Lillian Higbee Donnell. His family will treasure his memory by reminiscing the legendary stories that seem to follow any time his name is spoken and toasting him with a CC Manhattan on the rocks! A Visitation will be held on Friday, November 14, 2025 from 9 am to 1130 am at the St. Vincent de Paul Church, 5021 Harding Highway, Mays Landing, NJ 08330. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:30 am. Burial will follow at Laurel Memorial Park, English Creek Avenue, EHT, NJ 08234. For directions and condolences, please visit Wimbergfuneralhome.com

Wimberg Funeral Home

Galloway- Egg Harbor City