George F. Higgins

Born in New York City, George grew up in Elmhurst, N.Y., he resided in Nutley for 31 years before he and Mary retired to Toms River in 1981. While residing in Nutley, he was a member of St. Mary's Knights of Columbus and the American Legion. George was a graduate of St. John's University. He worked his way through St. John's as an employee of CBS Radio, where he came to love the Big Band Music broadcast daily. George came to know many of the musicians from the Glenn Miller Orchestra, the Dorsey Brothers, Bunny Berrigan, Benny Goodman and Kate Smith. A World War II veteran, he served as lieutenant in the U.S. Navy joining after Pearl Harbor. He ran the Navy's largest uniform and supply store located in the Brooklyn Navy Yard. He served on two Liberty ships, the SS Joseph Gale and the SS Josiah Bartlett transporting troops, jeeps, tanks and equipment to troops throughout Europe and North Africa. George retired from Pabst Brewing Company. He was an avid Yankees fan. He enjoyed summer vacations in Lavalette with the family. George was an avid reader with a keen interest in world events. Listening to music was his passion. His children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren made him proud and gave him many hours of happiness. He will be in our hearts forever.

He was predeceased by his parents, William and Sarah Higgins; his brother, Msgr. William Higgins; and three sisters, Margaret Quinn, Anne Conlin and Grace Gazda. He is survived by his beloved wife of 66 years, Mary McDonnell Higgins; three daughters, Rosemary Di Marco and Frank of Toms River, Elizabeth Consiglio and Lou of Hazlet, and Ellen of Nutley; and three sons, William and Mary Ellen of Toms River, James and Barbara of New York, and George and Joanne of Wayne. Also surviving are 11 grandchildren, Frank, Patrick and Michael Di Marco, Jessica and Kelly Higgins, Christopher and Stephen Consiglio, Jaimie Higgins, Kevin and Colleen Higgins, and Zachary England. He is also survived by seven great-grandchildren, Luke, Alexandra, Alyssa, Samantha, Madeline and Kyle Di Marco and Ashley Higgins. He will be missed by his many nieces and nephews, friends and neighbors.

Visiting hours will be from 2 to 6 p.m. Sunday, March 13 at Quinn-Hopping Funeral Home, 26 Mule Road, Toms River. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:30 a.m. Monday, March 14 at St. Maximilian Kolbe R.C. Church, Toms River. Entombment will follow at St. Joseph's Cemetery, Toms River. For those who wish, donations may be made to Disabled Veterans of America (http://www.dav.org/donate). Condolences may be sent to family at www.quinn-hoppingfh.com.