Patrick Brian "Pat" Higgins

People always asked, “Where’s Pat?” Most often we would reply, he’s at the river fishing on his kayak from dusk to dawn, enjoying the peace of the outdoors…they might say he drove up to the mountains to go hunting for an elusive whitetail deer… most days you could find him out on the porch, the tailgate of his truck, or a job site. He’d usually be smoking a brisket and 2 racks of ribs, then feeding that amazing food to his family and friends. Everything Pat Higgins did put a smile on your face and left you happier than you were when he found you. At all other moments of his life, Patrick “took the time to listen and spend time with his family and grandkids”. “One of his love languages was giving, every day he found a way to give to someone in some way,” said his daughter Jessica Roschli. Patrick’s youngest daughter Michelle Braitman remembers his “positive outlook with everything” and says, “Dad’s hope, faith, will to fight, and most of all love, will live on with us all because he is in our hearts forever.” Nathan Dillalouge, Patrick’s youngest son remembers when he and his wife Meghan welcomed their first child Ivy, Pat “drove all the way up to our house and stayed for 5 days straight…that really meant a lot”. Patrick was so proud of his kids and grandkids. His joy was seeing them happy and smiling, something he was a master at getting them all to do. Patrick’s oldest son, Chris Higgins left for the military right after high school. Chris says, “I have been constantly in awe of the love and devotion my stepfather had for his family. The respect I had for my dad was so strong that I took on the Higgins name and carried his legacy forward in my own family. No matter where I go I want people to associate the Higgins name with a person of integrity, honor, dedication, and hard work! I remember how excited we always were when dad would come visit my family and I all over the world, no matter where we were stationed. He would bend over backward to take care of my wife and kids, he would make them laugh, and keep them smiling while I was deployed overseas so many times.” In February of 1968, Dorothy “Dot” Higgins, and the late Jesse Higgins welcomed Patrick into this world at an Army post in Maryland. Dot said, “the thing that will always comfort me about Pat is that he always made me feel special, even in his younger badass days, he was my Raymond”. Patrick’s older sister, Juanita Miranda remembers “I had dinner with him about a month before he found out about his cancer, he said to me, Juanita, I’m just really happy, my life is really good… He was happy all his family and kids were good, his job was good… life was good”. Rick Higgins, Patrick’s older brother, was in junior high when he was born. Rick remembers “I used to take Patrick and Juanita with me to play basketball or soccer, they would ride in my MG with me and have a blast”. In 2008, Rick helped Patrick get started as a pipeline inspector. Rick says “8 years went by before we were on a job together and it only took me a few hours to realize how competent he had become” as a Chief Inspector – “I was so proud because he did this all on his own”. Over the last year, Rick did jobs in Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Kentucky, “no matter where I went, folks always asked about Pat, they made sure I was aware of how well he was respected around the system”. Rick was “always in awe of Pat’s skills, from hunting and fishing, and of course, his cooking. Most of all, Rick knew how much Patrick “loved his family”. Patrick met his wife Gail in 1991 and will tell you how blessed he was to marry her in 1994. They celebrated their 26th anniversary just 3 weeks ago before he went home to be with his Heavenly Father. As Gail walks out on their back porch to see Pat’s many smokers and grills, she remembers how he “loved to cook and feed everyone, he had a heart of gold”. Pat “has enriched my life, our children’s lives, his family’s lives, and so many more”. Gail will always remember how Pat was “loving, generous, hardworking, magnetic, and most of all courageous.” “This journey of our life together has shown me what true love and dedication is. I thank God every day for bringing you into my life and trust that he knows what is best for us. Always and forever, and I will always kiss you goodnight” ~ Gail Higgins -I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith. 2 Timothy 4:7 A Celebration of Life will be held @ 14022 Blairs Valley Rd, Clear Spring, MD 21722 on November 14th from 1-3 pm. All friends, family, and neighbors are welcome. The dress is casual. Due to COVID, please social distance and wear masks as much as possible. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the St Jude Children’s Hospital in memory of Patrick Higgins. Donation notifications can be sent to Gail Higgins email, gailstorm41@gmail.com. www.stjude.org/donate/ Arrangements were entrusted to J.L. Davis Funeral Home, Smithsburg, MD, and online condolences may be offered at, www.jldavisfh.com.