At noon August 11, 1922, while the Angelus bells were ringing at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Galveston, TX a baby boy was born to new immigrants from Ireland, Patrick Joseph Higgins and Mary Ann McCann Higgins. The new baby was named Edward Ignatius Higgins. Eddie passed away at Clear Lake Regional Hospital, Friday, February 7, 2014. Eddie attended St. Patrick’ Elementary and Kirwin High School graduating, Class of 1939. He served his country during WWII in the Army Air Corps as a Radio Operator/Gunner. Eddie retired after 40 years with Union Carbide in Texas City as Maintenance Supervisor, worked for Franks Casing Crew in Alvin and retired a second time. Eddie was a member of Our Lady of Lourdes Church, Hitchcock, TX for 61 years. His church activities included: Lector, Eucharistic Minister, Teacher CCD, two of his students became priests. Eddie, also was a member of the Knights of Columbus, a 3rd and 4th degree. He held several offices during his 72 years as a member, Faithful Navigator and District Deputy. Eddie was the oldest of eight children in his family. He will be remembered as a good and faithful son, brother, uncle, husband, father and friend. He was preceded in death by parents and brother John Stephen Higgins, sister Mary Christine (Tina) Higgins. Survivors include: Wife of 64 years, Billie D. Higgins, sons Edward Stephen Higgins, Alvin, TX and Patrick Kevin Higgins, wife Sheryl, Broaddus, TX, “Heart-Adopted” grandson, Jason Westphal, wife Melissa, Ayla and Aaron great-grandchildren, Reno, NV, sisters, Erin Centenio, Galveston, TX, Patsy Higgins, St. Louis, MO, Eileen McDonough, husband Mickey, St. Louis, MO, Sheila Hawkins, Galveston, TX, brother, Joseph Francis Higgins, wife Leta Higgins, Galveston, TX. Eddie was devoted to his three loves: God/Church, Family and Country. How fortunate we were to have had him in our lives and he will NOT be forgotten. A visitation will be held in his honor, Sunday, February 9, 2014, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. with a vigil and rosary at 7:00 p.m., Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, Hitchcock, TX. A mass will be held Monday, February 10, 2014, 10:00 a.m., Our Lady Of Lourdes Catholic Church, Hitchcock, TX Father John Kappe officiating, with committal services following at Mt. Olivet Catholic Cemetery, Dickinson, TX. Arrangements are through Crowder Funeral Home, Dickinson, TX. Those who wish may make donations in Eddie’s memory to Our Lady of Lourdes Church, 10114 Hwy 6, Hitchcock, TX 77563 or Alzheimer’s Foundation of America, 322 Eighth Ave., 7th fl., New York, NY 10001.