June 3, 2012

REST IN PEACE

Thomas John Higgins entered into eternal peace on the Feast of The Holy Trinity, Sunday, June 3, 2012 at the age of 88. Born in Brooklyn, NY on September 26, 1923. Beloved husband of Dora Russo Higgins for 44 years, son of the late Agnes Olszewski and Daniel Higgins. Father of Brigid Higgins, Peggy Gaffney (Thomas), Thomas J. Higgins Jr. (Katie) and his 6 grandchildren "best friends"; Jesse, Molly, Thomas, Meghan, Isabelle and Mary. Survived by his nieces and nephews of his deceased sister Mary Venturella, (dearest friend Joey), sister Irene Brant (Al), and brother John Sender (Irene). Ordained a Maryknoll priest on June 10, 1950 and served as a missionary in Peru for 17 years. He asked for a dispensation to marry in 1967, and then moved to the New Orleans area working as a Social Worker. He received permission to marry in 1969 but had to accept inactivation from the priesthood to do so. Relatives and friends are invited to attend the Funeral Mass at St. Rita Church, Harahan, on Thursday, June 7th at 12:30pm. Interment will follow at All Saints Mausoleum. A visitation will be held at the church beginning at 10:00am. In lieu of flowers please donate to Maryknoll Missionaries in Peru c/o Fr. Robert Hoffmann M.M., P. O. Box 302, Maryknoll, NY 10545. To view and sign the guest book, visit www.lakelawnmetairie.com.