Obituary of Thomas J. Higgins Jr.

Thomas J. Higgins, Jr.  of Kensington, a highly respected local military veteran known for his community leadership, died peacefully and surrounded by his loving family on Dec. 4, 2024 at the Hospital of Central Connecticut. He was 78 years old.

Tom was born in New Britain to Thomas and Jean (McBride) Higgins. Tom grew up in New Britain, attended Saint Mary’s School and graduated from St. Thomas Aquinas High School in 1964. Tom continued his education, attending Central Connecticut State College, which is where he met the love of his life, Jeanne.

Staff Sergeant Higgins was proud to serve his country and was active duty in the U.S. Army with his principal assignment located in Germany, training in counterinsurgency with the 10th Special Forces Group.

Tom had a lengthy and successful career in the computer and technology industry. An accomplished computer technology sales and management executive. Tom eventually made his way to work for the largest corporations in Silicon Valley, initially with Intel Corp. Tom was driven to success, commuting to Manhattan for most of his career. In New York City, he worked as Global Account Executive for Sun Microsystems, responsible for business development and operational management for Thomson-Reuters. It was during this time that Tom was deeply impacted by the devastation of Sept. 11, 2001 with his sales office and Thomson Financial, located in the World Trade Towers. Tom was a master at conversation who fostered solid and substantial business contacts, ending his career working for Hewlett Packard and Kelser Corporation. 

Tom was a dedicated caregiver to his wife Jeanne and was truly selfless throughout her illness.  His calling to help others became his focus following her death and he spent the vast majority of his post-military life serving his community and fellow veterans. Tom held top leadership positions with DAV Hardware City Chapter 8, the New Britain Veterans Council and Elks Lodge 957, New Britain. Tom was the driving force behind the New Britain community’s Armistice@100 series of events in 2018 commemorating the 100th Anniversary of the end of World War I, and he played a major role in the success of DAV Hardware City Chapter 8’s Wreaths Across America program – including managing and coordinating the Wreaths Across America National Convoy visit to New Britain in 2022.

Tom was most recently a recipient of DAV Hardware City Chapter 8’s 2023 Angelo Tomasso, Sr. and Angelo Tomasso Jr. Veteran of Distinction Award. The honor recognizes a Central Connecticut veteran at the annual Golden Kielbasa Veterans Open who has made a meaningful impact and inspired others through community leadership. For more than 50 years, Tom was a member of his beloved Elks Lodge 957 and was named the 2019/2020 “Elk of the Year”. Tom was always planning Elks events and of course grilling steaks on Steak Night. Tom was proud of his involvement in House of Heroes Connecticut, and was a member of several honorable associations and local clubs.

Proud of his Irish-American heritage, Tom was a dedicated member of New Britain’s Ancient Order of Hibernians (AOH) and helped lead the annual tradition of the laying of the wreath at the monument in Walnut Hill Park in memory of President John F. Kennedy to mark the anniversary of JFK’s assassination: a date Tom felt should be honored and always remembered. An active member of the Berlin community, Tom served on the Board of Education. He was a member of the Senior Men’s Timberlin Golf League and you could always find him supporting a golf tournament or event. He was a dedicated parishioner at St. Paul Catholic Church in Kensington where he and his entire family celebrated their faith together. 

Tom's family was his most treasured accomplishment.  Tom and Jeanne together raised three daughters, Amy, Cara and Katelyn. Tom was the ultimate “girl dad”: always available to teach and help the girls, from styling their hair to teaching them how to mow the lawn. The best was yet to come when Tom became a grandfather, affectionately known as “O'pa”. He supported and loved “His Grands" at school, sporting events, theater productions and dance recitals.  Tom and Jeanne together loved to travel, and the family’s travels continued after Jeanne’s passing. Tom treasured each moment, especially family vacations in Newport, but the most magical moment was this year’s family trip to Walt Disney World. Tom found joy in every moment, even throughout his illness.

Tom was predeceased by the love of his life and his wife of 46 years Jeanne (Bilodeau), and their son Thomas Patrick. His family finds peace in knowing they are reunited again. Tom is survived by his children, Amy (Brian) Kurnik, Cara (Jonathan) Staus, and Katelyn (Adam) Liegeot, all of Berlin.  O’pa will be greatly missed by “His Grands”: his grandchildren Jack, William and Madeline Kurnik, Aiden Staus and Grace Liegeot. Also surviving are sisters Marybeth Stanton of Southington, Jean (Donald) Doyle of Groton and several cousins, nieces and nephews. Tom had a special relationship with dear cousins David (Shawn) McBride and Sarah (Robert) Swatsworth who always made time to chat and visit.

The family wishes to extend thanks to several outstanding medical professionals for their expertise and compassionate care of Tom, they include oncologist Dr. Brian Byrne, neurosurgeon Dr. Nazer Qureshi, his nurse Darlene from CC Radiation Oncology and the absolutely amazing C5 nursing team at the Hospital of Central Connecticut for their unwavering support and care provided to Tom throughout his illness. 

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, Dec. 14 at St. Paul’s Church, 485 Alling St., Kensington at 10 am. Burial with Military honors will follow Mass at West Lane Cemetery High Road, Berlin. Friends may call at the Farrell Funeral Home, 110 Franklin Square, New Britain, Friday Dec. 13 from 4:00-7 pm.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Tom’s name may be made to ScoopsforTroops.org, Tunnel to Towers Foundation (T2T.Org), or to a charity of your choice.