Richard P Higgins Sr.

MSG Richard P. Higgins, Sr. (Ret), 80, of Spring Lake, passed away Sunday, June 7, 2015 at home in the care of his loving family in the latter stages of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and cancer.

Richard was born January 16, 1935, in Middletown, CT, son of William Michael Higgins and Catherine Celia Sheehan.

A 22-year veteran of the United States Army Special Forces (Abn), Richard served as a Team Sergeant for Mike Force in I-Corp in Vietnam, 1965-1966. Richard's Community service included: Spring Lake's Town Manager for 20 years (1979-1998); Spring Lake Alderman for 16 years (1999-2015), former Chamber of Commerce President and Vice-President; past Chairman of the TUOCS District (Occoneechee Council); past President and charter member of Spring Lake Kiwanis (1995-2015); Cumberland County Library & Information Center Board of Trustees (2001-2006); and Deacon, First Baptist Church.

Viewing will be held Wednesday, June 10, 2015, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. in Adcock Funeral Home in Spring Lake, followed by a funeral Thursday, June 11, 2015 at 2:00 p.m. at First Baptist Church in Spring Lake.

Richard is survived by his loving wife of 57 years, Mabel; sister, Barbara Richardson, of Old Saybrook, CT; son, Richard P. Higgins, Jr. and wife, Monica C. Higgins, of Nephi, Utah; daughter, Catherine A. Maloney and husband, William A. Maloney, of Parkton; son, Michael S. Higgins and ex-wife, Anita C. Higgins, of Fayetteville; son, Vincent R. Higgins and wife, Linda P. Higgins, of Fayetteville; twelve grandchildren: Brandon A. Maloney, Thomas P. Maloney, Jamie R. Deniquez, Sarah J. Higgins (deceased), Zachary O. Higgins, Skylar Higgins, Liam C. Higgins, Erin E. Higgins, Claire A. Higgins, Sia Higgins, Michael Penn and Jennifer Rodgers; and four great-grandchildren: Caitrin Alred, Lila Higgins, Landon Coley, and Avery Deniquez.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the "Builder's Fund" for The First Baptist Church of Spring Lake, NC by contacting Pastor Randy Moore at 910 497-1126.