Thomas J. Higham Jr., 85, of Lavallette, NJ passed away peacefully on Thursday, September 3, 2020.
Tom was born October 22, 1935 in Staten Island, NY. He spent summers along the Jersey Shore before becoming a full-time resident of Lavallette 38 years ago.
He proudly served his country in the United States Navy before establishing a career as a Police Officer for the New York City Police Department.
Tom was an active parishioner and Eucharistic Minister at St Pio of Pietrelcina RC Church, as well as, a member of the Holy Name Society. He was a dedicated coach of Staten Island Boys Football League and Mid-Island Little League baseball. He was also a proud member of the Jersey Shore 10-13 Association.
Tom is preceded in death by his parents Thomas J. Sr. and Ethel Higham (Walz), as well as his brothers Donald “Jerry” Higham, and William Higham.
He is survived by his beloved wife and high school sweetheart of 63 years Sophie (Matusewicz), who he fell in love with at Port Richmond High School in 1950. Thomas will also be forever missed by his sons; Neil and his wife Mary Beth of Chadwick Beach, NJ, and Dean and his wife Kathleen of Toms River, NJ, as well as his sister Ethel “Pinky” Rudolph, six grandchildren; Erin and her husband, Brian Werner, Maegan, Kyle, Patrick, Chris, Danny, and one great grandson, Landon.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, September 12, 2020 at 10 A.M. at St Pio of Pietrelcina, 103 Washington Ave, Lavallette, NJ 08735. Entombment will follow to Ocean County Memorial Park, 1722 Silverton Rd, Toms River, NJ 08753.
All arrangements are entrusted to the care of the Timothy E. Ryan Home for Funerals, 706 Hwy Rt 35N, Lavallette, NJ.
Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.ryanfuneralhome.com.
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