DOVER-FOXCROFT – Peter Gerald Higgins, 79, died March 4, 2007, with his whole family at his bedside at his new home. He had a brave struggle against cancer. Peter was born Sept. 6, 1927, in England. He was the son of James and Gertrude May (Botham) Higgins, who had 11 children. Peter grew up in a small Derbyshire village, to which he returned many times until he was no longer physically able. His schooling was in England. He received a mechanical engineering degree from Sheffield University and additional electrical engineering qualifications from Leicester College. He served briefly in the British Army. He was recruited to come to Canada in 1955 and several years later, subsequently to the United States, where he worked for Raytheon Corp. He spent many years working in the Boston area before relocating to the Philadelphia suburbs. He worked many years for Control Switch Co. as general manager, in what he referred to as “corporate America.” For a brief time he and his family lived in the Boston area again, but in 1979, he settled his family in Maine. He purchased a small business, Corinth Products Co. With the help of his son and daughter, they started Higgins Lumber Mill, Corinth. He was involved in this business as long as he was physically able and remained in the home, town, church and career of his choice for 27 years. Peter met his wife, Priscilla (Williamson), with whom he had an English connection. They were married for 42 years and raised four children, Carol Higgins Patenaude of Augusta, William Burley Higgins of Lynn Haven, Fla., Stephanie Higgins Smith of Dover-Foxcroft and Graham Alden Higgins, who died in a tragic accident in 1996. He will be sadly missed by his devoted corgi friend, Badger. Peter’s family grew to include Carol’s husband, Robert and their two children, Hilary and Robert; Burley’s wife, Meredith and their four children, two stepsons, Daniel and Adam, and two little ones, Graham and baby Katherine; Stephanie’s husband, Blake Smith and their two sons, Kaleb and Drew; and Graham’s wife at the time of his sudden death, Lisa Lynn Hewitt. Peter is also survived by two sisters, Pamela of Mansfield, England, and Jane of Canberra, Australia. He was very close to many nieces and nephews in England. A part of Peter will remain in England, true to his heritage. Another part will remain close to his family and beloved summer camp in Rangeley. Peter grew up during World War II, in which many family members proudly served in the RAF. He lived his last years following his hero Winston Churchill’s motto, “KBO,” which stands for “Keep buggering on!” Peter’s life will be celebrated in a service of remembrance 2 p.m. Sunday, March 11, at Dover-Foxcroft Congregational Church with the Rev. Heather Kurtz conducting the service. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Pine Tree Hospice, 897 West Main St., Dover-Foxcroft, ME 04426 or to the Graham Alden Higgins Scholarship Fund at Norwich University, 158 Harmon Drive, Northfield, VT 05663-1035. Arrangements are in the care of Lary Funeral Home, Dover-Foxcroft.
PETER GERALD HIGGINS
