Obituary

Thomas Higgins Jr., beloved husband of Stephanie (nee Mohr), passed away suddenly at his home in the evening of May 15, 2024. Tom Jr. was the devoted son of Tom Sr., and Ann Marie Higgins. He was the eldest of their 6 children: Brian, Peter (Heidi), Lauren Sullivan, Joe (Jenny) and Mary. Thomas was the loving father of Tom IV (Ramune), Conor (Katherine), Ryan and Brendan (Cath).

Tom was born in Brooklyn, NY, on August 17, 1957, and spent his school years terrorizing opposing baseball pitchers in Newington, CT, where he was the only one to ever hit a homer over the centerfield scoreboard at Badger Field. When his family moved to Wilmette, IL after his junior year in high school, Tom begrudgingly made the move with them and little did he know how much he would one day come to love Chicago. After high school, Tom worked in the construction trade where he acquired the skills and knowledge that would help him later in his career and the brawn that helped him immediately when he moved to Rogers Park and caught the eye of his future bride, Stephanie. 

Tom eventually went into the family business, Thomas J. Higgins Co., a warehousing and plumbing supplies distribution company. Working alongside his Dad and brother, Brian, the company became a highly successful representative of Charlotte Pipe & Foundry, supplying pipe to many of the major construction projects in the Chicagoland area. After Tom Sr’s death in 2006, the company continued to grow and prosper under Tom’s quiet but steady and strong leadership and Brian’s mile-a-minute, non-stop drive to be the best. Today, Higgins Co. is one of the leading plumbing supply companies in the Midwest. 

Aside from being a very successful businessman, Tom Jr. was most proud of his family and just being a Higgins. He was the patriarch, leader, and foundation of the 6 Higgins children. He was a man of strong Catholic faith.  He always turned to God in good and bad times and led by this example. He was kind and generous to all, and stressed the need to love and support family above all else. Tom loved going to Dairymen’s cabins in the Northwoods of Wisconsin because he was an exceptional muskie fisherman, but more so because he got to be with his whole family for a week. He loved Bear games with his brothers and swimming with his grandkids in his backyard pool. He loved the Higgins Family “Eve of the Eve” Christmas celebrations and came prepared with copies of the lyrics to all the Christmas carols so that everyone could sing along. He loved to travel with Steph, and her sister Melissa and his brother in law Roger, Tom’s scuba diving buddy. . 

Tom is survived by his wife, Steph, four sons, five siblings and dozens of nieces, nephews and grandchildren Karolina, Viktoria, Tom, Shea, Finn Kai and hundreds of friends who will all miss him dearly. 

We thank all of Tom’s friends, both personal and in the business world (anyone who knew Tom was happy to be called his friend), for the outpouring of love, prayers, and support.

A wake will be held at Kristan Funeral Home, 219 W. Maple St, Mundelein, IL 60060 on May 22, 2024, from 4-8pm. A funeral mass will be held on May 23, 2024, at 11:00 am at St. Mary’s Annunciation Catholic Church, 22333 W. Erhart Rd, Mundelein.

Memorials may be made to Misericordia, 6300 N. Ridge Ave, Chicago, IL 60660.