John J. "Hacko" Higgins

SOUTH HADLEY

John J. “Hacko” Higgins, 89, passed away peacefully on November 21, 2019 with family by his side in his home after a short illness. He will be remembered as a humble, kind, generous and loving man, who will be missed by all who knew him. Son of the late Frank and Margaret (Sheehan) Higgins, he was born on February 6, 1930 in Holyoke and spent most of his life living in the neighboring town of South Hadley. Hacko was a 1949 graduate of Holyoke High School, where he played on the basketball and baseball teams. He also played for the 1947 Western Mass Post 25 Legion baseball team. He was employed as a production planner at the Worthington Corporation in Holyoke and Conair Martin in Agawam. Hacko enjoyed family gatherings and loved watching his grandchildren grow up, especially watching them all play sports. He was a voracious reader, who enjoyed playing cards and solving crossword puzzles in his spare time. He was a huge New England sports fan and spent many summer vacations at his family home in West Dennis. He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Ellen (Monaghan) of South Hadley, his son Timothy, wife Gwenn, and their two daughters Courtney and Gracyn of Norwell, his daughter Maura Menard and her five children Elizabeth, Hannah, Matthew, Molly, and Joseph of South Hadley, and his many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his sisters Mildred and Lucille Burke, and his brothers Francis “Brud” and Edmund. The family would like to acknowledge the wonderful care he received from Hospice Life Care in Holyoke. Hacko’s life will be celebrated with a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:30 a.m. on Friday, November 29th, at St. Patrick’s Church, 30 Main Street, South Hadley. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Friends of the South Hadley Public Library online at https://www.mightycause.com/organization/Friends-Of-The-South-Hadley-Public-Library-System. The Barry J. Farrell Funeral Home is handling arrangements.

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