John J. "Jack" Higgins Sr.

John "Jack" Joseph Higgins, Sr.
Our beloved father, John J. Higgins, Sr., made his way to heaven on February 21, 2023. His life was full of love, family and adventures. His life came full circle, passing away at HopeHealth Hulitar Hospice Center, a few blocks from the house where he was born.
Born in Providence, RI to James and Annette (Carbonneau) Higgins, John was the sixth of eight children. He attended high school at Saint Raphael Academy in Pawtucket on a baseball scholarship, and was an altar server until he was 18 years old at Saint Raymond's Church. He attended Providence College on an ROTC scholarship and played on the baseball team, graduating in 1955 with a bachelor's degree in Political Science. He served in the Army Reserves for seven years, rising to the rank of Captain and trained young men for the Korean War exercises.
After marrying his wife Shirley A. Foley in 1958 and landing his first job, he started his 30-year career with Kraft Foods. Each promotion would mean a move for the family (VT, NY, MA, and ME). Six children were born along the way, finally settling in Yarmouth, ME. He retired, and they moved to Santa Maria, CA. There he enjoyed working at K-Mart in the electronics department, singing in a barbershop group, and even was on The Price is Right game show! They eventually moved back to RI to be closer to family. Shirley, his wife of 39 years, passed away in May 2002.
Cooking was his passion, and he was well known for his clam fritters, chowder, Higgizaroni bread, and pizza! Saturday nights were filled with lots of family and friends enjoying his pizza nights. Jack also had a very green thumb – planting so many tomato plants, vegetables and fruit trees. Fishing was a great pastime, especially saltwater fishing. He would try fresh water – but each time would exclaim, "There's no fish in Sebago Lake!"
He was such a wonderfully devoted family man. Even after a long day on the road selling cheese to the local stores, he would always have time to tuck us in with silly words – "Sweet Dreams, Dream of the Angels, Guadalajara, Por Favor, or Good Nigit." We have so many memories and phrases or "Higginisms" from Dad.
Jack was a member of the Smithfield Senior Center where he met his loving companion, Bernice (Jo) Pagliarini – they were inseparable. Besides being an avid baseball and football fan, he kept active with bocce ball, cards, senior luncheons (where he was the hit of the party), dancing, and senior trips.
His keen sense of humor kept us all laughing, and he often encouraged us all to tell him a new joke. He always had a joke at the ready and he laughed the loudest at his own jokes as well. His were the epitome of "Dad jokes."
"Be Charitable, it's Tuesday," was his motto for any day of the week. His patience and positivity will be remembered. So, when you think of our dad, please be charitable to others.
Predeceased by his wife, Shirley, and six of his brothers and sisters, he is survived by his sister, Anne Hanewich of Cape Cod, MA as well as by his six children: Mary Anne Hildreth (partner, Michael Lyons), Kathleen Del Sesto (husband, Andrew), John J. Higgins, Jr. (wife, Andrea), Karen Amaral (husband, James), William Higgins (wife, Jodi), and Anne Marie Higgins. He will also be missed by his nine grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren, and his loving companion, Bernice (Jo) Pagliarini.
Visiting hours will be held from 8:30am – 9:30am on Monday, February 27, 2023 at Anderson Winfield Funeral Home, Rt 44 at Greenville Common, Greenville, RI, followed by a funeral mass at 10:00am at St. Philip Church, 622 Putnam PIke, Greenville, RI. A graveside interment at Riverside Cemetery in Yarmouth, ME will be held in the spring. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to HopeHealth Hulitar Hospice Center, 1085 N Main St, Providence, RI 02904 where Dad received care with dignity and compassion. Hope Health