Richard Anthony Higgins

And the Lord called one of His finest home today. Richard Anthony Higgins, age 92, a devout Catholic of Elizabeth City, died February 2, 2025, surrounded by his loving family. Mr. Higgins was born July 30, 1932 in Towanda, NY. He was the son of the late Frank and Catherine (Kitty) McDermott Higgins.
Mr. Higgins graduated from Canisius High School in Buffalo, NY, and after graduating, worked at Moore Business Forms for a year before joining the U. S. Navy in May of 1951. Among his assignments in the Navy, he served on the USS Bennington and survived an explosion that killed 104 of his shipmates, injuring another 500. After his Navy service, Mr. Higgins used his GI Bill to attend Embry-Riddle Aeronautical Institute, where he earned an Airframe and Powerplant Technician's License and a Commercial Pilot's License. He used his newfound knowledge to enter into a career in the U. S. Coast Guard. He served in the Coast Guard from 1957 until his retirement in 1977. Highlights of Mr. Higgins' career include serving on the Commandant's VIP Crew, selection to represent the 14th Coast Guard District as the "Master Chief of the U. S. Coast Guard", and various trips to all corners of the world. Mr. Higgins retired at the rate of Master Chief.
The love of Mr. Higgins' life were his daughters, Pam and Amy, and their families. He spent the last 23 years of his life living in an in-law's suite with Pam, where he was instrumental in raising Pam's four sons, whether it was helping out with sports practices, rides to and from school, helping with homework, or just giving lessons in life. He also very much loved his trips to the Outer Banks to watch Amy's daughters play soccer, cheer, and to watch their son grow into a fine, young man. Both Pam and Amy's husbands agree that Mr. Higgins was the best father-in-law anyone could hope to have.
Survivors include his two sisters, Diane Gilhooly (husband Jim), and Kathy Holbrook (husband Ron); daughters, Pam Higgins Haskett, husband Chuck, and their four sons, Charlie (wife Shannon and their kids CW and Caroline), Hunter (wife Katelyn), Lake and Reed, and Amy Higgins Feltz, husband Todd, and their two daughters, Ansley and Kinnan, and son, Ashton. He also leaves a host of nieces and nephews. Mr. Higgins was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Fran and Pete.
A private service for the family will be held at 2:00 p.m. on February 10, 2025, at Holy Family Catholic Church, 1453 N. Road Street, Elizabeth City, NC 27909, with Father Alex Gonzalez officiating. An internment with full military honors will follow at West Lawn Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, Mr. Higgins wishes donations be made in his name to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, 1400 Crystal Drive, Suite 660, Arlington, VA 22202, or online at https://aafa.org/get-involved/give-donate/.
Twiford Funeral Homes, 405 E. Church Street, Elizabeth City, NC, is serving the Higgins family. Condolences and memories may be shared at www.TwifordFH.com. To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Richard, please visit our floral store.