Blauvelt Funeral Home Obituaries
Funeral Information
Eugene P. Higgins Sr.‚ 68( November 06, 1941 - July 28, 2010 )
Home: S. Waverly, Pennsylvania
Date of Death: July 28, 2010
Age: 68
Birth Date: November 06, 1941
Birth Place: Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania
Service Information: Sunday, August 1, 2010, 3 PM, Blauvelt Funeral Home, 625 Broad Street, Waverly, New York
Visitation: Sunday, August 1, 2010, 1-3PM, Blauvelt Funeral Home 625 Broad Street, Waverly, New York
Interment: Private
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Biography
Higgins Sr., Eugene P.
Eugene P. Higgins, 68, of 38 Warren Street, South Waverly, Pennsylvania succumbed to the effects of a debilitating disease on Wednesday, July 28, 2010. Eugene is survived by his wife Elizabeth, son Eugene Jr, son Michael, who is married to Kimberly, and two grandsons Austin and Christian Higgins. Also survived by Brother James Higgins, Sister Cathy Jo Ryes married to Paul Ryes, Sister Bethann Whener married to John Whener, and many, many loved nieces and nephews. He was also the loving Father of Elizabeth Higgins II (1964 - 1970). Pre-deceased by his parents, Joseph and Helen Higgins, sister Patricia Dunn and Brother George. Eugene, also known as Gene, was raised in Philadelphia , Pennsylvania , where he graduated from Northeast Catholic High School in 1959 and married his wife Elizabeth in 1964. In 1963, he enlisted in the United Stated Air Force and was stationed in Brindisci, Italy , where he intercepted and translated Russian radio transmissions. While in Air Force, Elizabeth II was born in Texas and Eugene Jr. (aka Gino) was born at a military hospital installation in Tripoli , Lybia. During his studies at Penn State University his third child, Michael, was born and his first, Elizabeth II was tragically lost to a vehicular accident. Subsequently, he secured a teaching position at Waverly High School where he faithfully taught English to high school students for 31 years, all in Room 156. He left with many fond memories of his students and his teaching legacy- educating more than 3000 of Waverly’s young adults. In addition to his teaching responsibilities, Eugene also was the PA announcer for the Waverly varsity football games and was known as the "Voice of the Wolverines". As a kind hearted teacher, Mr. Higgins was both grateful and honored to serve our community and participate in the development of our young citizens. Eugene retired in 2001, into the community he helped form, before the first symptoms of his disease surfaced.
Given his roots, Eugene was a die hard Philadelphia and Penn State Univ. sports fan. He loved his former home on Cannon Hole Road in Barton, New York . The cottage's history, like much of "The Valley", is rooted in the railroad industry's development of the area and was constructed from a box car and other rail road remnants. Eugene had great appreciation and respect for the unique and intrinsic beauty of his home's wild and pristine natural surroundings. This location has and will always invoke many fond, vivid and unforgettable memories of him and his cottage home on the banks of the Susquehanna River.
A time for gathering with family and friends will be from 1-3 p.m. Sunday, August 1, 2010 at Blauvelt Funeral Home, 625 Broad Street, Waverly, New York. The celebration of Eugene's life will follow the visitation with a service of remembrance at 3 p.m. In lieu of flowers expressions of sympathy may be made to Waverly Free Library, 18 Elizabeth Street, Waverly, New York, 14892. Those wishing may send a sympathy message of remembrance for Eugene's family.
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