John "Jack" Higgins V, 85, of Mountainside, passed away peacefully on Friday morning, August 2, 2019, after a long battle with cancer.
Born in the Bronx, he lived most of his life in Westfield, before moving to Mountainside with his wife of 35 years, Maryann. After graduating from Regis High School in New York, he attended Iona College in New Rochelle. He went on to obtain his Masters in Chemistry from Fordham University. He then worked as a chemist for Exxon Chemicals in Linden and Florham Park for 41 years, where he obtained 17 patents.
He was an avid hunter and fisherman all of his life. He was a NY Giants fan as well a fan of all of his grandkid's sports. After retiring, he volunteered endless hours at the St. Joseph's Soup Kitchen in Elizabeth and at the Great Swamp, where he eventually became President of the Board.
Jack is survived by his wife, Maryann, children, Tara Higgins, John (Jay) Higgins (the late Tracy, Dec 2018) and Andrew Higgins; stepchildren, Dee O'Leary Chappell (Keith), Donna Gurkas (Charlie), Kathy Romanovich Estler (David) and George Nolan (Jenny) and 14 grandchildren, Jake, Justin, Zach and Kasey, Kiely, Emilia, Wyatt, Marissa, Griffin, Courtney, Alyssa, Megan, Katie, and Benjamin.
Friends and relatives may call on Tuesday, August 6, 2019, between 4 -8 p.m. at Higgins and Bonner Funeral Home, 582 Springfield Avenue, Westfield, N.J. A funeral mass will be held on Wednesday at 10 a.m. at St. Helen's Church in Westfield. Interment will follow at Fairview Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to: Helping Hands and Hearts, The Great Swamp, The Center for Hope Hospice and/or Family Reach https://familyreach.org/donate/john-higgins/
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