Mr. William T. Higgins

William T. Higgins, 78, of Altamonte Springs, passed on Sept. 19 at Florida Hospital Altamonte after an illness. He was surrounded by his family and dear ones for the entire time of his hospitalization. Bill was born on August 28, 1933, the youngest son of John and Margaret Higgins of Brooklyn, NY. Bill moved to Florida from Lowell, Massachusetts in l990 after he suffered a stroke at the age of 55. At the time of his stroke, Bill had been employed at MITRE Corporation, Bedford, MA. In l983 he was named to head the Strategic Communications Department and was responsible for MITRE's support of the Air Force's E-4B Advanced Airborne Command Post. Bill received his Engineering degree from Polytechnic Institute of Brooklyn in l956. He went on to receive his Master's Degree from Northeastern University in Boston, MA in l960 and continued his education at MIT in Cambridge, MA. Bill joined MITRE in l969, as a member of the technical staff. He became a Group Leader in l975 and an Associate Department Head in l980. Prior to joining MITRE, he was on the Defense Research Staff at MIT for nine years, first at Lincoln Laboratory and then at the Center for Space Research. He also served as a Microwave Engineer for Raytheon Company's Power Tube Division in Waltham, MA. Bill is survived by his wife, Bernice M. Higgins of Altamonte Springs, FL; daughters Paula O'Sullivan and her husband Donald of Bow, NH, Christine Strules and her late husband George of Dracut, MA; son, William D. Higgins and wife Sharon of Shirley, MA as well as grandchildren, John Janowicz, Kevin O'Sullivan, Paul O'Sullivan, Jenifer Mondazzi, Karen O'Sullivan, Benjamin Luppi, Sara Luppi and Elizabeth O'Sullivan; several great grandchildren, many nieces and Nadine Hood his long-time care giver and friend. The family will receive friends Thursday, September 22 from 1 to 7 p.m. at the West Altamonte Chapel of the Baldwin-Fairchild Funeral Home, 90 Weathersfield Avenue, Altamonte Springs, FL 32714. Anyone wishing to remember Bill may do so by contributing to the Central Florida Stroke Club, P.O. Box 530023, Orlando, FL 32853-0023.