Thomas J. Higgins (Canadian politician) explained

Thomas J. Higgins
Order:73rd
Office:Mayor of Saint John, New Brunswick
Term Start:February 14, 1994
Term End:1995
Predecessor:Elsie Wayne
Successor2:Shirley McAlary
Spouse:Dorothy Ann MacDonald

Thomas J. Higgins (1931[1] – August 24, 1995) was a Canadian educator and municipal politician who served as the mayor of Saint John, New Brunswick from 1994 to 1995. He was Saint John's first Catholic mayor.[2]

Life and career

Higgins attended the St. Francis Xavier University in Antigonish, Nova Scotia,[3] where he met his future wife Dorothy Ann MacDonald.[4]

Higgins taught at St. Malachy's High School,[5] serving as a coach,[6] as well as a principal until his retirement.[7] During the 1970s, Higgins served as Deputy Mayor of Saint John,[8] and he was sworn in as Mayor of Saint John on February 14, 1994.[9] During his time as mayor, Higgins attended the Bangor-Saint John Sister City Exchange program, a cooperation meeting between Saint John city officials and American city officials of Bangor, Maine to discuss strengthening the relationship between Maine and New Brunswick.[10] On May 8, 1995,[11] Higgins had a memorial stone placed at Jervis Bay-Ross Memorial Park in recognition for the Royal Canadian Legion Branch #53.[12] He additionally honoured two individuals with the Freedom of the City.[13]

During the summer of 1995, Higgins resigned from his position due to declining in health. He was succeeded by Shirley McAlary, his interim mayor.[14]

Personal life and death

On August 24, 1995,[15] Higgins died from cancer.[5] His wife, Dorothy Ann Higgins, died in March 2013 at the age of 79.[4] The Thomas J. Higgins Award was created in his honour, with recipients including Moosehead Breweries.[16] His daughter, Patty Higgins, was another municipal politician who was elected to the Saint John City Council in 2008,[17] and ran for mayor of Saint John in 2016.[2]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Thomas John Edward Higgins . www.ancestryinstitution.com . Library and Archives Canada . April 28, 2024 . en.
  2. News: Goff . Shawn . Higgins wants to improve city's fortunes . April 27, 2024 . . April 23, 2016 . . en.
  3. News: Honour for Two Thomases; This year's winners of the Thomas J. Higgins awardboth knew the former mayor and remember him fondly . April 27, 2024 . . October 26, 2000. .
  4. News: Higgins was dedicated to her children, grandkids . April 27, 2024 . . March 29, 2013. .
  5. News: Chilibeck . John . Premier keeps pledge to youth . April 27, 2024 . . September 4, 1998. .
  6. News: Community cathedrals; The humble local hockey rink has unified Canadians for more than a century. In New Brunswick, one architectural firm is making its name designing plush, efficient arenas for the next hundred years, without neglecting the endearing nuances that made the old barns so charming. They are the new temples, writes Marty Klinkenberg . April 28, 2024 . . December 20, 2008. .
  7. News: Chilibeck . John . Ward 2 voters have intriguing choice in byelection race . April 28, 2024 . . July 11, 2008. .
  8. Web site: Minute Book 75 . records.saintjohn.ca . Saint John Common Council . April 28, 2024 . January 23, 1978.
  9. Web site: Regular Council Meeting . records.saintjohn.ca . Saint John Council . April 27, 2024 . January 14, 1994.
  10. News: Young . Susan . Saint John and Bangor seek closer ties . April 27, 2024 . . May 6, 1994 . 45 . en.
  11. Web site: Canada . Veterans Affairs . Royal Canadian Legion Branch No. 53 Recognition Memorial – National Inventory of Canadian Military Memorials (NICMM) – Memorials – Remembrance – Veterans Affairs Canada . www.veterans.gc.ca . April 27, 2024 . February 20, 2019.
  12. News: Goss . David . Lest we Forget . April 28, 2024 . . November 7, 1998. .
  13. News: Weisz . Marni . Artist receives rare city honour . April 28, 2024 . . May 3, 1999. .
  14. News: Campbell . Jennifer . Store owner who ran for MP is now eyeing mayor's job . April 28, 2024 . . February 19, 1998. .
  15. Web site: Regular Council Meeting . records.saintjohn.ca . Saint John Common Council . April 28, 2024 . August 28, 1995.
  16. News: Hawkins . Mike . Exceptional Spirits . April 27, 2024 . . September 10, 1999. .
  17. News: 'Time to get down to business and giddy-up,' says newly elected councillor . April 28, 2024 . . July 15, 2008.

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