James Ford “J” Higgins, 58, a resident of Cambridge Warren, Warren, PA., and formerly of Tidioute and Erie, PA, died peacefully Wednesday evening, June 2, 2021, at his residence, after an extended illness. He was born on May 20, 1963, in Erie, PA. J was the son of James M. and Dorothy Eva “Dottie” Ford Higgins. J was a 1981 graduate of Tidioute High School and earned his undergraduate degree in Political Science at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy in New London, Conn., in 1985. He served with the Coast Guard as a Lieutenant, working on ships providing international drug interdiction, search and rescue and securing wreckage from the Challenger Space Shuttle, after serving 11 years, he was honorably discharged on July 1, 1996. J also earned a second bachelor’s degree as a Physician’s Assistant, from Gannon University in 2001. He was employed as a Physician’s Assistant with Dr. David Brooker working with Nephrology and dialysis within the UPMC Seneca and UPMC Oil City area hospitals. He also worked with Dr. Norman Beals in family medicine, retiring due to illness in 2016.
J is survived his sister, Capt. Pamela Lyn Coughlin and husband, Drew of Walnut Creek, CA., his brother, John Tod Higgins of Warren, PA., 6 Cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents. A private graveside service will be conducted at the convenience of the family at Swedish Union Cemetery, Tidioute, PA. His sister will also provide burial at sea of some of J’s ashes. Those wishing to place memorials may do so through the Pennsylvania Chapter of Alzheimer’s Association, 2595 Interstate Drive, Suite 100, Harrisburg, PA 17110 or Pennsylvania Soldiers and Sailors Home, 560 E. 3rd Street, Erie, PA. 16507. E-mail condolences may be sent by visiting www.lewisfuneralhomeinc.com. The Donald E. Lewis Funeral Home, Inc. has been entrusted with funeral arrangements.
Sending my condolences to all of Jays family friends. Grateful for his service to God and country.
May he rest in peace. Jay will always be remembered as a kind soul who went out if his way to help others. He loved his cats dearly. I kept my promise to him to care for them when he could not. He will be missed.
Jay was a great classmate and friend. Always had a strong sense of purpose and wit. Thank you for your service to our country.
The staff at the Oil City Dialysis Unit was very fortunate to work with J for many years. He took excellent care of the patients and they were all quite fond of him. A very kind and caring man, he will be missed. Our sympathy to his family.
So sad to hear. J and my brother Bob were lifelong friends and our families spent some great times together growing up in Erie. My condolences to Pam and Todd. Sending prayers to all of you.
I worked with J at the dialysis clinic. He was very dedicated to all of the patients and his job, going well beyond what was expected. We were all fortunate to have that time with J.
Rest In Peace Jay
My condolences to the family
Dawna Irwin Pearson, CGA ‘85
I worked with “J” as a fellow PA at UPMC NW. I always found him to be very intelligent, professional, and caring. The dialysis patients were in excellent hands when he was involved. He was an asset to the Venango County medical community and I am proud that he was a member of our PA staff. I’m sorry to say that I was unaware of the severity of his health problems.
My sincere condolences to his family.
My deepest condolences to Jay’s family. Jay was my roommate during swab summer at the Academy and then fellow political science major classmate. I enjoyed Jay’s friendship and remember his positive friendly demeanor. Rest In Peace Jay.
I am so sorry to hear this sad news. My prayers are with Jay‘s family. May Jay Rest In Peace.
It warms my heart to see Jay’s smiling face as a cadet – that is how I will always remember him. I was sad to hear our shipmate has crossed the bar. Deepest condolences to Jay’s family and friends. His continued service to others both in and out of uniform will be remembered.
Sunset and evening star,
And one clear call for me!
And may there be no moaning of the bar,
When I put out to sea,
But such a tide as moving seems asleep,
Too full for sound and foam,
When that which drew from out the boundless deep
Turns again home.
Twilight and evening bell,
And after that the dark!
And may there be no sadness of farewell,
When I embark;
For tho’ from out our bourne of Time and Place
The flood may bear me far,
I hope to see my Pilot face to face
When I have crost the bar.
– Alfred, Lord Tennyson
Much heartfelt sympathy to Jay’s family and friends. He is gone too soon.
Kelly Barnes Sullivan
CGA ‘85
So sorry to hear this sad news. My condolences to Jay’s family and friends. Fair winds and following seas, Jay – once a classmate, always a classmate.
CGA ‘85
My sincerest sympathy to Jay’s family and friends. I will remember Jay for his warm smile and always having a kind word to share. Fear not that he is gone, for we will always keep our memories of him.
Brian Dunn, CGA ‘85
It’s almost incomprehensible that we would lose someone so young to Alzheimer’s, especially the kind soul I remember. Another reminder to live each day… Fair winds and following seas, Jay.
My deepest condolences to J’s family. I’m am so very sorry to hear that J has passed. He was the finest person I ever had the privilege to know and work with. His compassion for his work and patients knew no bounds, and his kindness was shared with all. RIP, J—you will always be remembered fondly.
Just saw this and didn’t know. My apologies on timing and my deepest sympathies and prayers for the family. Jim was a great guy! Mark DeVore, CGA 85