Richard G. Higgins, 71, of Londonderry died May 4, 2013 at his home in Londonderry.
He was born in Medford, Mass., on Oct. 28, 1941, a son of John E. and Catherine (Grant) Higgins.
A resident of Londonderry since 1982, he formerly lived in Boston, Mass.
He was raised in Melrose, Mass., and was a graduate of Malden Catholic High School in Malden, Mass.
Mr. Higgins was a Vietnam combat veteran and a graduate of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, N.Y., in 1963. He was an Airborne Ranger and an artillery officer, and served with units in Hawaii and Germany. He was a recipient of the Bronze Star.
After his military service, Mr. Higgins earned an MBA at Harvard Business School. He had been self employed as a labor arbitrator and mediator for more than 30 years and was a member of the National Academy of Arbitrators.
He served on the Londonderry Planning Board for 13 years. He is survived by his wife of 30 years, Debra L. (Ouellette) Higgins of Londonderry; two daughters, Joanne Marie Higgins of Amesbury, Mass., and Sharon E. O’Neill and her husband, Michael, of Hollis; two sons, Richard G. Higgins Jr. and his wife, Allison, of Brentwood, and Paul M. Higgins and his wife, Sarah Gill, of Boston, Mass.; five grandchildren, Deana, Juan, Anna, Sean, and Ryan; two brothers, John E. Higgins Jr. of Chevy Chase, Md., and Bob Higgins of Cambridge, Mass.; one sister, Mary Catherine Harbin of Hedgesville, W.Va.; and many nieces and nephews.
Calling hours will be held on Friday, May 10, from 4 to 8 p.m. in the Peabody Funeral Homes and Crematorium, 290 Mammoth Road, Londonderry. A Liturgy of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, May 11, at 10 a.m. in St. Jude Parish, 435 Mammoth Road, Londonderry. Committal services with military honors will follow in Glenwood Cemetery, Mammoth Road, Londonderry. In lieu of flowers, the family has suggested a donation in Mr. Higgins’ honor to a scholarship at Malden Catholic. Checks should be made to the Malden Catholic Scholarship Fund and sent to the school at 99 Crystal Street, Malden, Mass. 02148. To send a condolence or for more information, visit, www.peabodyfuneralhome.com.