Timothy J. Higgins, 74, of Southborough, MA, formerly of Brookline, MA, passed away on Monday October 2, 2023, at UMass Medical Center, University Campus, in Worcester, MA. He was the beloved and devoted husband of 52 years to Diane (Thornton) Higgins..
Timothy was born in Boston, MA, son of the late Francis and Mary (Leahy) Higgins. He was raised in Brookline, MA, but eventually settled in 1982 with his wife, Diane, in Southborough, MA, where they raised their two children, Tim and Julie.
Timothy is survived by his wife of fifty-two years, Diane (Thornton) Higgins of Southborough, MA; son Timothy Higgins and his wife Erica of Southborough, MA; daughter Julie Higgins and her husband Michael O’Connor of Stowe, VT; grandsons Jack and Nicholas; five brothers and sisters; as well as other relatives and friends.
Timothy was an Interior Designer, and the owner of Tempting Interiors in Southborough, MA. He was a double Eagle graduating from both Boston College High School and earning his Bachelor of Arts at Boston College.
Timothy was incredibly involved in his community; he co-founded Southborough Little League where he coached for many years and was well known on the field for his enthusiasm. He also coached softball and basketball. Timothy would regularly make loaves of bread and donate it to the Southborough Food Pantry and other friends and neighbors that were fortunate enough to be on his bread route. It was possible to find him driving around town with a giant stuffed teddy bear coming out of his sunroof because he loved seeing the reactions and joy it brought to everyone he passed. Timothy was also very devoted to St. Anne’s Parish in Southborough, MA where he often went to mass daily.
Timothy was highly active, he was an avid runner and competed in numerous marathons, triathlons and even Ironman races. He loved bringing people together, he co-founded a triathlon group (HTH) where coordinated bike time trials, swims at Hopkinton State Park and even weekly weigh-ins. It was not unusual to drive by his house on an early summer morning to find twenty bikes lying in the front yard and an HTH banner hanging over the driveway. Timothy also loved skiing with his family, many weekends were spent going up to their house in Stowe, VT.
Timothy spread so much joy to anyone who was fortunate enough to know him. His greatest joy was his two Grandsons, Jack and Nicholas. Papa as he was affectionately called would spend hours coming up with new challenges for them to do, candy hunts around the house with elaborate clues, and many adventures into Boston. He taught them how to ride their bikes and to ski and never missed a chance to tell them how proud he was of them.
He was a bright light in this world and made everything better just by being in it. He lived by the motto, Ad Maiorem Dei Gloriam (ADMG), “For the greater glory of God.”
Family and friends are invited to attend calling hours for Timothy on Friday October 13, 2023, from 3:00pm-7:00pm, at Tighe Hamilton Regional Funeral Home, 50 Central Street, Hudson, MA. A funeral Memorial Mass will be celebrated on Saturday October 14, 2023, at St. Anne’s Parish, 20 Boston Road, Southborough, MA, with a Celebration of Life to follow immediately in the function hall at St. Anne’s Parish.
(Photo and Obituary via Tighe Hamilton Regional Funeral Home)
