Obituary of Thomas Edward Higgins, Jr.
Thomas E. Higgins (Tom), 95, of Glastonbury, CT and Quonochontaug, Charlestown, RI passed away in his home surrounded by his entire family including four children, eight grandchildren, and two great grandchildren on August 4, 2026.
Tom is survived by his son, Thomas E. Higgins III and Anne of Teton Village, WY and their children, Sean, Casey (and their daughters Alice and Belle), Lauren, Kelly and Ryley; daughter Leslie H. Maye and Robert of Glastonbury, CT and their children, Kathryn, Robert, Laura Scanlon and Tim, and Alyson; daughter Brooke A. Myers and Charles of Glastonbury; and daughter Maura E. Higgins and Pedro E. Rump of Los Altos, California.
Tom was born the only child to Anna Mabel (Hull) Higgins and Thomas E. Higgins in Brooklyn, NY in 1930 during the early stages of the Great Depression. Tom married Jan Sullivan Higgins on February 2, 1957 on Long Island, NY and settled in Glastonbury in 1962. Tom shared 54 years with Jan with whom he raised four children. After her passing in 2011, he remained the devoted patriarch and pillar for his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.
After earning a B.A. from Syracuse University, Tom served in the U.S. Army, stationed in Fort Lee, VA, during the Korean War, and then enrolled in New York Law School on the GI bill. By 1960, he was a married father of two, a new member of the bar, and a loan analyst for the United States Small Business Administration. He served as Director of the Small Business Administration for the state of Connecticut from 1962 to 1980, then worked as a legal and business consultant until retirement.
Tom was intelligent, curious, principled, and strong willed. He was widely read and a patient and articulate teacher who guided others through challenges with wise advice and a keen wit. Devoted above all to family togetherness (including the family dogs), he built his life around close bonds, cherished Vermont ski trips, and summers shared at the Rhode Island cottage.
A man of steadfast integrity, tenacity and resilience, you were truly one of a kind. We will miss you
"Remember, I loved you."
A private family burial will be held at Green Cemetery in Glastonbury where Tom will be laid to rest beside his wife and close to his parents. In lieu of flowers, please consider contributions to The American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 6704, Hagerstown, MD 21741. For online condolences, please visit mulryanfh.com.