Jan Mayo Higgins

Jan was born March 12, 1948 to Frederick L. Higgins and Eleanor M. Higgins.

As a 12th generation family in the Town of Orleans, Jan graduated Nauset Regional High School in 1966 and thereafter enlisted in the United States Navy during the Vietnam War. Upon completion of basic training, he was assigned to Naval Air Station Oceana in Virginia Beach, Virginia. There he trained with the Attack Squadron VA-42 “Green Pawns” which flew the A-6 Intruder. He was soon deployed aboard the USS Essex, CVS-9 in the Mediterranean. While on the Essex, Jan was an E3 “Aircraft Handler” attached to the V-3 division of yellow shirts. Jan referred to this job as a “fast paced game of checkers with multi-million dollar checker pieces”. During his deployment, the Essex recovered both Apollo 7 and 11, as well as being involved with the Russian Tupolev TU-16 incident. He was honorably discharged in 1970.

Following his return to Orleans, he began a plumbing career and eventually began working at Colonial Gas out of Yarmouth (Keyspan/National Grid), retiring in 2007 as a Senior Engineer/Foreman overseeing crews from Wareham to Provincetown.

Upon his retirement, Jan acquired his dream boat, the “Nancy M”, a Nauset 25, and enjoyed many trips in Pleasant Bay, Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard. He also spent his free time at the beach and at the family beach camp known as the “Hideaway”.

Jan is survived by his wife of almost 54 years, Nancy M. (Cowan) Higgins; brothers and their wives, Frederick L. Higgins, Jr. & Joyce Higgins, Kevin L. Higgins & Stacie L. Higgins; sons and daughter-in-law, David M. Higgins & Wendy C. Higgins, Scott E. Higgins; grandchildren, Michael, Kellie, Mitchell, Daniel, Emily, Bryan and Abby as well as many nieces and nephews and beloved extended family in Ohio.

Jan was predeceased by his brother, Bruce R. Higgins.

A Celebration of Jan’s life will be held at a date to be determined. Those who so desire may make donations in memory of Jan to the Brewster Animal Rescue League-3981 Main St., Brewster, MA 02631 or The Shriner’s Hospital for Children-Processing Center, P.O. Box 863765, Orlando, FL 32886.