Donald L. Higgins ’50

Donald L. Higgins died Jan. 28 at his home and surrounded by his family. He was born in Ellsworth on Jan. 9, 1930. He was the son of Roger L. Higgins and Mildred Fullerton Higgins. He attended Ellsworth schools and graduated from Maine Maritime Academy in the Class of 1950. He served many years in the American Merchant Marine on freight vessels, tankers and research vessels. Don served as LTJG in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War. He served as contract captain for the Maine State Ferry Service. He held the license of Master Mariner unlimited.

Don was a line surveyor for Bangor Hydro and was co-owner of TopSpot DriveIn. He served on the Ellsworth Planning Board and Zoning Board of Appeals. Don was a Cub Scout leader and a Little League coach. He liked mackerel fishing on Union River Bay, walking in the woods with Twinkies in his backpack and duck hunting from a blind with his son and their dog that retrieved toilers. He is remembered by family and neighbors for climbing a ladder resting against a round tree and was able to walk away each time no matter how hard the ground.

He is survived by his wife Betty, his children and their companions: Janet Higgins and Dan Stillman, Stephen Higgins and Nicki Nevells; granddaughter Mindy Eaton and her husband Joshua of Blue Hill, great-grandchildren Reece Parker Eaton and Harper Belle Eaton of Blue Hill, niece Catherine James of Bar Harbor, nephew George McKay III of Bar Harbor and many cousins. He was predeceased by his sister Barbara McKay of Bar Harbor.