Obituary published on Legacy.com by Vander Plaat Funeral Home - Wyckoff on Oct. 20, 2025.
Michael David Higgins, 54, of Ho-Ho-Kus, NJ, passed away peacefully on October 18, 2025.
Born the third of four children on June 3, 1971 to Adele and Martin Higgins of Ridgewood, NJ (formerly of Nutley), Michael was a loving son, brother, husband, father, uncle and a loyal friend. Michael was raised in Nutley, where he lived for 44 years before moving to Ho-Ho-Kus in 2015.
Growing up in a sports-centered family, Mike excelled at football, basketball and baseball, playing the three sports throughout his four years at Nutley High School. Ultimately, Mike played baseball at Rutgers University and was drafted by the Colorado Rockies. He played for the Rockies until 1997, when he retired from baseball and began a career in banking at Prudential Securities. Here he met Lori, who would become his wife, best friend and partner for 27 years. Mike continued his financial career at the Bank of New York, where he spent 15 years on the trading floor. Through each of these steps along his life's path, Mike made strong and lasting friendships that endure to this day.
In 2020 Mike had the opportunity to join his brother Patrick's company, Eye Centers of America, as its Chief Administrative Officer. This was by far his favorite job, as he was an integral part of what he considered a 'family business', helping it grow and expand, for as long as he could continue to participate.
Mike greatly enjoyed his family and made them a priority, supporting his children in their academics and extra-curricular activities, as well as supporting his nieces and nephews and friend's children in their pursuits. Spending the summers (and many Thanksgivings) at their family home in Lavallette was also a very big part of Mike's life. He grew to love and greatly enjoy the relaxed lifestyle of 'the beach' and the close friendships of his beach family.
Mike's two greatest joys were his children, Ashley and Mikey. Supporting, guiding, coaching and studying with them was his focus each and every day. He was so happy and proud that they had each 'found their path', Ashley to a position at the Bank of New York (with many of his former colleagues) and Mikey at his alma mater Rutgers, playing football and studying business, giving his parents the opportunity to watch him 'play four more years' -only missing a game when he was physically unable to attend. Mike enjoyed traveling with Lori to different states and different beach destinations, but by far his favorite spots were Aruba and the Amalfi Coast.
Mike is survived by his wife of 25 years Lorraine (Lori), children Ashley Nicole and Michael, Jr., parents Adele and Martin Higgins of Ridgewood, and his father-in-law Jacob Doumato of Ho-Ho-Kus, brothers Dr. Patrick Higgins (Stephany) of Ridgewood and Martin Higgins III of Nutley, and sister Kimberly DeJianne (Michael) of Nutley, and brother-in-law James Doumato (Diana) of Allendale; nieces Lisa Marie Higgins, Jenna Higgins, Mia Higgins, Makenna DeJianne, and Juliana Doumato; nephews Frank Higgins (Ashley), Martin Higgins IV, Patrick Higgins Jr., Michael James DeJianne, Carter Higgins, and Nicholas Doumato, and grand-nephew Raymond Lesoine-Higgins. He is also survived by many aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends whom he considered family.
He was predeceased by his mother-in-law Judith Doumato, and grandparents Pat and Terry Verdi and Martin and Mary Higgins.
The Higgins family will receive friends and family on Tuesday, October 21, 2025 from 3:00 till 7:00pm at the Vander Plaat Funeral Home, 257 Godwin Avenue,
Wyckoff, NJ 07481. The funeral mass will be held on Wednesday at St. Gabriel's RC Church, 88 E. Saddle River Road, Saddle River, NJ 07458. Interment will follow at George Washington Memorial Park in Paramus, NJ.
In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations to Villa Marie Claire or Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center Department of Neuro-oncology research, Dr. Jessica Wilcox and Dr. Lauren Schaff.
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