Joseph J. Higgins

Higgins , Joseph J., passed away on July 20, 2007. He was 77. Born and raised in Elizabeth, NJ he attended St. Patrick's High School and was recognized as one of the top baseball pitchers in the state of New Jersey. He went on to star at Seton Hall University on a full scholarship and eventually signed a contract with the Detroit Tigers organization. After graduating Seton Hall with honors he served his country enlisting in the Navy in 1952 during the Korean War. After an honorable discharge in 1954 he attended Georgetown University Law School in Washington D.C. where he graduated with honors in 1957. While pursuing a successful law career and ownership of his own Cadillac car agency he was elected to the New Jersey State Legislature in 1965. After successfully serving the people of the State of New Jersey for two terms he moved his family to Fort Lauderdale, Florida where he resumed a private law practice and eventually retired. Mr. Higgins will always be remembered by his family and friends for his deep love and support for his wife and family, his genuineness, concern and compassion for his fellow man and his engaging sense of humor. He is deeply missed by family and friends alike. He is survived by his beloved wife, Eileen; his two sons, Joe and Jamie; his two daughters, Peggy and Eileen; and ten grandchildren whom he dearly loved: Sarah, Jeanette, Eileen, Dylan, Jamie, Shannon, Joseph, Sarah, Ethan and Morgan.. He is also survived by his three brothers, Jim, Bert and Ed; and his daughter-in-law, Mary Rose and sons-in-law, Victor Faradji and Michael Heger. Visitation 4-8 pm Friday, August 17th at KRAEER FUNERAL HOME, 200 N. Federal Hwy, Pompano Beach. (954) 941-4111. Funeral Mass 10 am Saturday, August 18th at Saint John the Baptist Catholic Church, 4595 Bayview Drive, Fort Lauderdale, FL.