AUGUSTA – Seth H. “Bud” Higgins Jr., 76, of Augusta and formerly of South China, passed away April 10, 2006, at the Maine Veterans’ Home, Augusta, after a short illness. Seth was born May 2, 1929, in Perry, son of Seth H. Sr. and Evelyn (Norton) Higgins. He was raised in Columbia Falls, graduating from Columbia Falls High School in 1947. In December 1950, he married Constance Boynton of Windsor. From February 1951-February 1953, he served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War at Camp Rucker, Alabama from which he was honorably discharged as a corporal. After his military service, he was employed at Hudson Pulp and Paper, later known as Statler Tissue Corp., in Augusta and by the State of Maine, Bureau of Public Improvements, retiring as a storekeeper II in 1994. During his residence in South China, Bud served the town as a selectman and as a member of the school committee and the planning board. Bud was an enthusiastic hunter and fisherman, as well as a baseball fanatic. He was a catcher on the China Clippers semi-pro baseball team and a coach of the Babe Ruth team in South China. He followed the Portland Sea Dogs, cheered the Boston Red Sox to their World Series victory in 2004 and was a devoted fan of the Boston Celtics. An accomplished bowler, he won numerous trophies and awards. He was a highly competitive card player, who enjoyed a good game of Scat or 63. He loved to play cribbage, especially tournaments at the VFW in Waterville. Bud was a member of the B.P.O.E. No. 964, the Fraternal Order of the Eagles, Aerie No. 5137, Post No. 2 of the American Legion in Augusta and a past master of the Dirigo Lodge Masonic Order, Weeks Mills, Maine. For many years he volunteered as a member of the State Police Auxiliary. Surviving him are three sons, Seth III of Brunswick, Joel and his wife, Patricia, of Randolph and Michael of South China; his daughter, Lucinda and her husband, Scott Gidney, of Albion; as well as nine grandchildren; and one and 8/9 great-grandchildren; nephews, Roger Allen of Jonesboro, Gene Allen of Bangor, Wayne Chadbourne of Harmony; and a favorite cousin, Adra Kearney of Massachusetts. He is predeceased by his parents; four sisters; Florence, Frances, Una and Pearl; and one son, Jonathan. A memorial service will be held 11 a.m. Friday, April 14, at Staples Funeral Home, 53 Brunswick Ave., Gardiner. The committal service will take place 1 p.m. on the same day at the new Maine Veterans’ Cemetery, 163 Mount Vernon Rd., Augusta. Bud’s family thanks the caregivers at Maine General and the Maine Veterans’ Home in Augusta for their professional and compassionate care. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to the Maine Cancer, American Cancer Society, 52 Federal St., Brunswick, ME 04011.
SETH H. ‘BUD’ HIGGINS JR.
