MECHANICVILLE – Former City of Mechanicville Mayor Thomas J. Higgins, died Tuesday, November 19, 2013, in the comfort of his home surrounded by his loving family after a long illness. Born in Troy, on February 9, 1931, the son of the late Mechanicville Comm. of Accounts William E. Higgins, Sr. and Veronica Purtle Higgins, Tom was a 1948 graduate ofMechanicville High School. Elected Mayor of Mechanicville in November 1993, Tom served 3 terms, leaving office in 2006. He had also previously served as Comm. of Finance and Chairman of the cities Civil Service Commission. A hard worker who maintained two jobs for most of his working life, Tom was a Postal Carrier for the US Postal Service in Mechanicville for over 30 years during which time he also worked for the B&M Railroad. Tom also worked as a licensed electrician, as a security guard at Saratoga Raceway, and spent the last of his working years at Clifton Park Toyota. A dedicated civic-minded resident, Tom was the longtime treasurer of the Mechanicville Fire Dept., and a life member of E.H. Strang Hose Co. #3. Tom also volunteered his time to Mechanicville Stillwater Little League, St. Paul’s CYO basketball, Meals on Wheels, and with his adopted greyhound visited hospitals and nursing homes through the Therapy Dog Institute. A member of All Saints on the Hudson Parish and a 42 year member of the Mechanicville Elks Lodge, Tom was known for his quick wit and sense of humor that served him well as toastmaster on the banquet circuit. A lifelong Boston Red Sox fan, Tom enjoyed watching the Red Sox recently win their third World Series in the last 10 years. Most of all Tom loved his family, and spending time with his 8 children, 14 grandchildren, and their extended families.
In addition to his parents, Tom was predeceased by his first wife, Annetta Grimes Higgins in 1976, and his brothers Jack and Bill.
Survivors include his wife, Marie Madeline Robens Higgins, who he married in 1979, his children: Michael (Judy) Higgins of Glenville, Meg Overocker (Gary Warren) of Delmar, Peter (Gina) Higgins of Stillwater, Tim (Theresa) and Joe (Karen) Higgins both of Mechanicville, Joe Robens of Weston Hill, Florida, Laurie (Thom) Tyrrell of Waterford, and Shaun (Grace) Robens of Clifton Park. Tom’s grandchildren are: Katie (Chris) Plume, Amity & Adam Higgins, Ryan & Shaina Overocker (Steve Salomon), Reid, Abby, Maggie, Kelsey, Eamonn, Skyler & Ashley Higgins, Salina & Madeline Tyrrell; sisters-in-law Marion Higgins & Rose Miller of Mechanicville and several nieces, nephews and their families. The Higgins family thanks Dr. Louis Ianniello & Dr. S. Patel and their staffs, and Community Hospice of Saratoga for their care, compassion and concern.
A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Friday at Noon at All Saints on the Hudson South Church, 121 No. Main St., with burial in St. Paul’s Cemetery.
Calling hours at the North Main St. Church on Thursday from 4-7 PM.
In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to Community Hospice of Saratoga in loving memory of Thomas J. Higgins.