VEAZIE – Edward Francis Higgins, 82, died June 25, 2008, at a Bangor hospital. He was born Jan. 30, 1926, in Bangor, son of Edward P. and Velma (Sharp) Higgins. Ed was a graduate of Bangor High School and enlisted in the U.S. Navy, June 7, 1943, serving as a sound man second class aboard the USS Ingraham DD693 in the Pacific Theater, and was honorably discharged, Jan. 30, 1947. Ed settled in Bangor and had a career as a beverage salesman, retiring in 1985. Barbara Attner became his wife, Jan. 30, 1952, and they raised four children. He was a member of Veazie Congregational Church, Mechanic Lodge No. 66 AF & AM of Orono, the Scottish and York Rite Bodies, Valley of Bangor and Anah Shriners. Ed was also a member of the second section of the Shrine and became chief aide emeritus, a member of Bangor, Brewer and Waldo County Shrine clubs, a member and past patron of Millwee Chapter No. 198 Order of the Eastern Star, American Legion of Calais and the VFW of Hampden. Surviving are his loving wife of 56 years, Barbara L. (Attner) Higgins of Veazie; three children, Albert E. Higgins and his wife, Linda, of Veazie, Deborah LaMothe and her husband, Michael, of Princeton, W.Va., and David B. Higgins and Janet Tenney of Veazie; nine grandchildren, Jennifer, Melissa, Kimberly, Shawn, Kyle, Matthew, Christopher, Jessica and Cody; one sister, Eleanor Bynum of Louisiana; a sister-in-law, Gloria Higgins of Old Town; nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by a son, Arnold F. Higgins; a sister, Isabel Beaulieu; and a brother, Richard Higgins. Relatives and friends are welcome to call 5-7 p.m. Sunday, June 29, at Brookings-Smith, 133 Center St., Bangor, where a funeral service will be held 11 a.m. Monday, June 30, with David Fox, pastor of Veazie Congregational Church, officiating. Interment will be at Fairview Cemetery, Veazie. The family invites relatives and friends to share conversation and refreshments immediately after the funeral Monday at Brookings-Smith Family Center, 163 Center St., Bangor. Those who wish to remember Ed in a special way may make gifts in his memory to Shrine Hospital for Children, care of Anah Shrine Center, P.O. Box 735, Bangor, ME 04402-0735 or Veazie Congregational Church, 1404 State St., Veazie, ME 04401. Condolences to the family may be expressed at www.BrookingsSmith.com.