Francis Higgins

Francis Higgins, 74, of Plainville, MA, peacefully passed away on Thursday, March 2, 2017 surrounded by his loving family. He was the husband of Ann V. (McDonough) Higgins. Born on January 6, 1943 in Boston, MA, he was the son of the late Edward Joseph Higgins and the late Martha E. (Powers) Higgins, who died on February 22, 2017. A resident of Plainville since 1975, he previously lived in Brockton, MA and Boston, MA.  He proudly served as a Firefighter for the City of Boston for more than sixteen years before retiring in 1984.  Francis loved spending time with his family, most especially his cherished grandchildren and great-grandchild.  He was a past PAL President. He enjoyed coaching baseball and Pop Warner football in his younger years, as well as golfing, fishing, horse racing, and NASCAR. In addition to his wife, he is survived by his beloved children: Donna M. (Higgins) Paul and her husband, Aaron E. Paul, of North Attleboro, MA; Annmarie (Higgins) Gundlach and her husband, Gary J. Gundlach, of Plainville, MA; and Kevin M. Higgins and his wife, Suzanne L. (Heise) Higgins, of North Attleboro, MA. He was the loving grandfather of Katie A. Gundlach, Eric J. Gundlach, Gretchen M. Gundlach, Kylie A. Paul, Colin F. Paul, Connor M. Paul, Madison J. Paul, Elizabeth M. Higgins, Jack H. Higgins, and Aidan O. Higgins; and the adoring great-grandfather of Lila M. Sullivan Francis was the brother of the late William Vincent Higgins and his late wife, Ruth (Baker) Higgins; the late Edward J. Higgins and his wife, Yvonne (Johnson) Higgins of Attleboro, MA; the late Kathleen R. (Higgins) Robertson and her late husband, John J. Robertson; his twin sisters: Maureen Ann (Higgins) McElhanon and her husband, Billy McElhanon, of Plainville, MA; and Margaret V. (Higgins) Chircop and her husband, Charles Chircop, of North Attleboro, MA; and Theresa M. (Higgins) Pedro and her husband, Thomas G. Pedro, of Plainville, MA.  He leaves numerous nieces and nephews, cousins, and many dear friends. Friends and family are cordially invited to attend a Visitation on Monday, March 6, 2017 from 4:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. in the "Memorial Chapel" of the Dyer-Lake Funeral Home - the national historic Colonel Obed Robinson Home, 161 Commonwealth Avenue, Village of Attleboro Falls, North Attleboro, MA. Children's room is available during the visitation. Those in need of a local ride to the visitation may call the funeral home at (508) 695-0200 to make an advance reservation for such complimentary transportation.  In lieu of flowers, his family has requested that donations be made in memory of Francis to the United Cerebral Palsy Association 1825 K St. NW Suite 600, Washington D.C. 20006 or at www.ucp.org .  For additional information or to send the family a written expression of sympathy, please visit an online guest book at www.dyer-lakefuneralhome.com .  Arrangements are under the direction of the Dyer-Lake Funeral Home, 161 Commonwealth Avenue, Village of Attleboro Falls, North Attleboro.  (508) 695-0200