Obituary of Miguel Higgins

Miguel Higgins was born on March 6, 1940 in Humacao, Puerto Rico. He moved to Harlem, New York in 1952 and lived there with his mother until he joined the Air Force in 1958. While in the Air Force, Miguel worked as a Cryogenic Technician for 13 years until he later cross-trained to become a Refrigeration/Air Conditioning Technician where he remained for an additional 13 years. During his time in the Air Force, Miguel traveled the world and received several notable accolades including an Air Force Commendation Medal, multiple Air Force Good Conduct Medals, Vietnam Service Medal, being promoted to the rank of Master Sergeant and so much more. In 1982, Miguel moved to Willingboro, NJ with his wife and children. After 26 years of honorable service, he retired from the Air Force in 1984. He began working at Memorial Hospital in Mount Holly, NJ as an HVAC technician in 1985. In 1986, Miguel returned to McGuire AFB, this time as a civilian, to work in the same shop where he had previously been the NCOIC. He worked there for 26 years as an HVAC technician until his retirement in 2012. Miguel was an avid sports fan. He loved to watch all sports, but his favorites were football, baseball and basketball - naturally cheering for all of the New York teams. You could often find him sporting a NY Giants jacket, sweatshirt and/or t-shirt. One shirt in particular summed it up nicely, “Win, lose or draw, NY Giants fan for life.” All the way until the end, he remained true to that statement. Another favorite pass-time for Miguel was playing cards and going to the casinos. His home away from home was Atlantic City and in recent years, he enjoyed taking trips there in the summertime with his wife, children, and grandchildren. For his last birthday, he spent the day at Parx Casino with his two youngest children, Rosa and Carlos, and that was just days after being released from a medical rehabilitation center. Nothing could keep him from celebrating in his happy place. Miguel is preceded in death by his father, Miguel P. Higgins, his mother, Rosa Agosto, and his sister, Miguelina Higgins Cariño. He is survived by his loving wife of 46 years, Diana Higgins, four children, Angel “Malachi” Higgins, Carmen Milagros Higgins (Angel), Rosa M. Dixon (Rodney), J. Carlos Higgins (Natta), seven grandchildren, Mal’akiy Higgins, Jevon C. Higgins, Danté C. Dixon, Caryss A. Higgins, Teodoro A. Higgins Gonzalez, Alexis M. Dixon, Alejandro M. Higgins Gonzalez, one great-grandchild, Mason R. Higgins, and many other cherished family members and friends.