January 5, 2009 (Harrison, NJ) Peter B. Higgins III, of Harrison and Lake Como, peacefully passed on Sunday, Jan. 3, 2010, at Jersey Shore University Medical Center, Neptune. He was 62. Peter was born Aug. 3, 1947 to Peter B. Higgins Jr. and Eilish B. Toner. He attended Holy Cross Elementary School, Essex Catholic High School and Seton Hall University. He graduated from Seton Hall with a BS in Business. While attending The Hall, he was a member of the U.S. Army ROTC and the Nationally Ranked Pershing Rifles Drill Team, Company K8. Following college, he proudly served his country during the Vietnam War in the First Cavalry and was honorably discharged from Active Duty on June 5, 1975. While serving in the Army, he achieved the rank of Major. Among his many commendations was the Bronze Star, which was received for Valor resulting from an act of combat heroism. Upon his return to the U.S., he married the former E. Doreen Coolican and devoted his life to her for the next 38 years. In the coming years, they welcomed two children, Brian P. and Kevin G. into their family.

In 1975, Peter began his longtime service to the Town of Harrison with his election to the Town Council, where he served the Fourth Ward for the next 23 years. During that time, he was the chairperson of several committees, most notably the Fire Department and Police Department Committees. Peter served as Council President for both Mayors Frank E. Rodgers and Raymond J. McDonough.

He was a driving force and contributor to many projects in support of the residents of Harrison including the I-280 Extension Project, the construction of the Harrison Senior Citizens Center, The Harrison Community Center and most recently the billion dollar Harrison Redevelopment Project. In addition to his duties in Harrison, Peter was employed as the secretary to the Board and Business Administrator for the Harrison Board of Education from 1978 until his retirement. While in this capacity, he oversaw the financial well being of the Harrison School District, as well as the construction of the Lincoln School addition and construction of the new Harrison High School. During this time, Peter was also very active throughout the State of New Jersey with his involvement in the School Business Officials Association on which he served as president.

In early 2000, he was appointed as the chairperson of the Harrison Redevelopment Authority and helped negotiate the plans for the current redevelopment of the western end of Harrison. The centerpiece of this project was the construction of the Red Bull Arena, which will open this March.

Along with his duties in Harrison, Peter also served as a commissioner on the Hudson County Improvement Authority. Peter was a member of the Lions Club, V.F.W. and American Legion. For the last 28 years, he was a volunteer for Camp Fatima of New Jersey. The role that meant the most to him over the past 10 years was being a loving grandfather to his three grandsons, Zack, Timmy and Sean. He spent countless hours helping them with school projects and their numerous athletic endeavors. He could often be seen on the Boardwalk in Belmar, with his grandsons and their favorite, Dunkin Donuts.

Peter is predeceased by his father, Peter B. Higgins Jr. His spirit will live on in those who survive him, his mother, Eilish Higgins (nee Toner); his wife, E. Doreen Higgins (nee Coolican); his son, Brian and his wife Karen (nee Garfinkel) of Macungie, Pa.; his son, Kevin of Lake Como; his grandsons, Zack, Timmy and Sean; his brother, Jack; sister, Beth; brother, Michael and his wife MaryJean; nephew, Jack; and niece, Kate, along with numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.

Visitation for family and friends will be from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 5 and Wednesday, Jan. 6 at the Mulligan Funeral Home, 331 Cleveland Ave., Harrison. The funeral will be conducted at 9 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 7 from the funeral home, followed by a 10 a.m. Mass of Christian Burial to be celebrated at Holy Cross Church, Harrsion. Interment will be in Holy Cross Cemetery, North Arlington. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Peter's name to Camp Fatima of New Jersey, P.O. Box 234, Harrison, NJ 07029. For information, directions or to send condolences, please visit Mulligan Funeral Homes website.

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