Racine – Samuel Albert Higgins, Jr. passed away unexpectedly at home on Sunday morning, July 7, 2013. He was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on November 12, 1953, son of Samuel and Edna (nee: Wilhelm) Higgins. Sam moved to Racine in 1976, and then on July 21, 1978 was united in marriage to Rebecca Sue Willis.
Sam had been employed by Lincoln Lutheran Homes since 1980, and was currently a facility maintenance supervisor. He was an avid golfer; a passionate fan of the Pittsburgh Steelers and Pirates; and a great dancer. Sam enjoyed helping others, and was a well-respected baseball coach for Racine Youth Sports for many years. Nothing surpassed the love he had for his family, and he was anxiously awaiting the arrival of his sixth grandchild.
Sam is survived by his loving wife, Beckie Higgins; their children, Samuel A. (Devon Hall) Higgins III, Casey (Jennifer) Higgins, and Brett (Stacy) Higgins all of Racine; five grandchildren, Simeon, Donovan, Jalen. Casey Jr., and Jordan; his sisters and brother, Virginia (Gary) Palmer and William Higgins in Pennsylvania, and Dolores (Dennis) Murphy in West Virginia; as well as many nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews, other relatives and friends. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister, Anna Brunson.
Complete services will be held in the funeral home on Friday, July 12, 2013, Visitation will be from 11am – 1pm, immediately followed by the funeral service at 1p.m. officiated by Minister Roderick Evans. Interment will follow at Graceland Cemetery. Memorials to Racine Youth Sports have been suggested.
Derek Woolley says
Our sympathy for the family. Sam was a great man!
-Love,
Derek & Ashley Woolley
Sherry Trentadue Forman says
Can’t believe I read this—my heart aches for all of you. He was a wonderful man to everyone he met. He enriched my life as well as my sons for many years.
Judy says
Sam will always be my ” hero”
Sandy and Ed Brown (Golberg) says
A horrible shock for sure – Sam was THE BEST and will certainly be missed
Scott Hart says
Very sorry for your loss. May God be with you and your family in this time of need.rdids
Kris Kurklis-Ohnstad says
Sam will be greatly missed at Lincoln Villas North. He was so wonderful with all the residents. We all loved him very much. He loved his family so much. The world lost a great man. RIP, my buddy.
Mike Johnson says
Sammy,
I will miss you my friend. We shared a lot over the years. We coached together, were on RYS’s baseball committee and you and Beckie attended my marriage to Marnee!
Dear Lord, give me the strength to look into the empty spot next to me and be unafraid. Tears are a prayer from the heart.
Char Petersen (Woolley) says
I was so shocked when Sandra Thurmond called me to tell me that Sam had passed away. Like I told Sandy, I thought Sam would be coaching baseball for the next 20 years. Sam gave so much of his limited free time to the boys and girls on the softball teams he coached over the years. He was as dependable as the sun coming up in the morning, but he never made a big deal out of everything he did for other people. He just seemed to be happy doing volunteer work. He made a big difference in the lives of a lot of children. My sympathies to Beckie, Sammy, Casey, and Brent and the rest of the family. Char Petersen
Mary Schneider says
To all the family our family’s prayers and thoughts are with you. We’ll always miss Sam and remember all the good things about him. Much love with sad hearts.
Dorothy, Scott, and Mary Schneider
Jacob and Christina says
Your family is in our prayers. Love you guys.
Jack and Charmaine Harrison and Family says
Sam was a home run hitter in the lives of many kids. He was the consummate coach and always had time for people, no matter their age. Love you, Sam… keep coaching “up there”. You will surely be missed here.
Terry & Kathy Van Parys says
Our condolences to Becky, Sammy, Casey, Brett and the rest of the family. We will miss Sam. Sam taught our sons, Michael and Carlos, about baseball and life. We will remember him fondly.
Ruth Plocinski says
Sam will be missed by anyone whose life he touched. He was the most giving person I’ve ever met. He was a joy to work with and volunteered his time all over the Lincoln Lutheran Communities.
victor moreno says
I am sincerely sorry for the loss of such a fine young man. I met Sam at the gym early mornings. We would talk converse and chat about everything. I found out a bit about his life, coming from Penn. and work at Lincoln, and his new position as an umpire which he loved. Being a former coach and baseball enthusiast I found it interesting to talk about sports. I hope I was an influence in having him join our group of seniors playing softball Wednesday mornings at Island Park. He told me I made it entertaining for him at the park. He would welcome me daily at the gym calling me Mr. Victor. He will be remembered. Sincerely Victor Moreno