Christopher Mark Higgins

"Christopher Mark Higgins Jr. passed away on January 19, 2019 at Baystate Medical Center after a short illness. Chris was born and raised in Belchertown to Christopher Higgins and the late Marilyn Higgins. He graduated from Belchertown High School where he was on the swim and tennis teams and was a member of the band. He received his bachelors degree from Southern New Hampshire University. He is survived by his father, Christopher Higgins, his sister Katharine Higgins-Shea, brother-in-law Christopher Shea, niece Ava Shea and nephew Ryan Shea, all of Belchertown. He is also survived by his maternal grandmother Lucille Williams and husband Robert of Greenville, SC, aunt Joan Daly and husband Patrick of Stowe, PA, aunt Susan Donnelly of Arlington, MA, uncle Peter Higgins and wife Kristina of Melrose, MA, aunt Mary Jane Higgins of Brighton, MA, uncle Timothy Higgins and wife Diane of Southborough, MA, aunt Amy Tull and husband David of Plymouth, MA, and twelve cousins. Besides his mother, he was predeceased by his stepmother, Suzanne O’Hare. Chris worked for approximately fourteen years for the Belchertown Public Schools, most recently at Swift River Elementary School. He loved his colleagues and coworkers and the daily interactions with the students. As a five year old child, sitting on his dad’s lap, he heard the news that Robert Ballard had found the wreck of the Titanic. There and then was a born his lifetime passion, the love of history and the books that described the events and personalities. Chris was a lifelong learner and reader, and enjoyed researching historical topics at his local libraries which he would refer to only by their abbreviated name (the Forbes, the Jones, and his hometown library, the Clapp). His family estimates that he donated approximately two thousand books to his hometown library, after he, of course, was able to fully enjoy the books himself. Chris would often add historical information and context to everyday events and conversations without picking up a book or looking at a computer. This summer when seeing his nephew wearing an England World Cup jersey, Chris provided a “mini lecture” on how the three lions of England became their symbol. Chris loved British comedies and historical documentaries, watching the Animal Planet programs, homemade macaroni and cheese, and he savored his morning cup (or two) of coffee. There will be a Celebration of Chris’ life on February 16, 2019 at 11:30 a.m. at Beers and Story Funeral Home in Belchertown. A calling hour will precede the service from 10:30 am-11:30 a.m. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Chris’ memory to the Clapp Memorial Library, P.O. Box 627, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA 01007-0627."