Rev. Thomas Wm Higgins

The Reverend Thomas Wm Higgins, age 86, of Nazareth, PA passed away on Wednesday, December 14, 2022 at Moravian Hall Square in Nazareth, PA surrounded by his loving family.

He was born on February 21, 1936 in Newark, NJ.  He resided in Nazareth, PA since 2000, moving from High Bridge, NJ.

He was the son of the late Walter Thomas Higgins and Violet Jane Day Higgins. 

He was the loving and devoted husband to Janice M. Gangawer Higgins.  The couple were married on May 6, 1973.

Rev. Thomas Higgins was a US Air Force and NJ Air National Guard veteran, serving from 1954 to 1958.

He was an ordained Pastor, and his ministerial career spanned from 1961 to 2000.  He served eight pastorates, consisting of ten churches: Methodist, United Methodist and one Baptist.  His last church was High Bridge United Methodist Church where he had the privilege to serve for twenty-eight years.  He was the Supervisor of Chaplaincy Services at Hagedorn Psychiatric Hospital in Glen Gardner from 2000 until its closure in 2012. 

He regularly attended Bethel Memorial Baptist Church in Palmer Twp., PA, St. Peter’s United Methodist Church in Saylorsburg, PA and also the Wesley United Methodist Church in Nazareth, PA.  He was also a member of the Memoir Club at Moravian Hall Square.

Rev. Thomas Higgins would often say ‘I’m hanging on to the Lord.” He loved to joke, and his goal was always to make someone smile wherever he went.  He was devoted to his family and he could invariably be found with a camera in his hand, snapping photos to capture the memories they were making together. 

Survivors in addition to his loving wife of 49 years, include one son; Thomas William Higgins II and his wife Heather of Ocoee, FL.  Four daughters; Rebecca Swick and her husband Kerry of Columbia, MD, Deborah Henson and her husband William of South Deerfield, MA, Joanna Griffin and her husband Robert of Nazareth, PA and Susanna Higgins-Boyd and her husband Israel of Easton, PA.   He is also survived by his sister; Nancy Santone of Nazareth, PA.  Ten grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. 

Predeceased by one brother; Brian Higgins. 

Rev. Thomas Higgins was a humble man who dedicated his life to the glory of God. His greatest joy was in sharing the Good News of the Gospels and witnessing to the healing power of Jesus Christ. Each Sunday morning across nearly 40 years of ministry, he would offer the following prayer before he began his sermon, “Use me Lord, use even me; Just as Thou wilt, and when, and where; Until Thy blessed face I see; Thy Love, Thy Joy, Thy Glory Share; But until then, Speak, O Holy Ghost, Speak. Amen.” In this time of loss, his family is consoled knowing that Thomas is now resting in the Lord’s presence. Thanks be to God.

A Memorial service will take place in the spring at Bethel Memorial Baptist Church, 715 Chestnut Lane, Easton, PA (610) 253-2565. 

Arrangements are under the direction of Naughright-Scarponi Funeral Home in High Bridge, NJ. 

Memorials can be made to The Friendship Center for New Beginnings, 162 Main Street, Flemington, NJ 08822, or to Miracle Mountain Ranch, 101 Rodeo Drive, Spring Creek, PA 16436, or to Rev. Thomas Higgins’ granddaughter’s Go Fund Me in honor of Kyra Marsh, who has been diagnosed with terminal cancer by visiting: https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-kyra-matt-and-the-girls

Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." John 14:6 

Whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. John 3:15  

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