A graveside committal service for Michael L. Higgins, 56, formerly of Rockland, who passed away peacefully, Friday, March 19, 2021, will be held Thursday, May 13, 2021, at 11 a.m., at Coughlin Cemetery, Rankin Street, Rockland.

To share a memory or condolence with Michael’s family, please visit their Book of Memories at bchfh.com

Arrangements are in the care of Burpee, Carpenter & Hutchins Funeral Home, 110 Limerock St. Rockland.

CUMBERLAND — Michael L. Higgins, 56, formerly of Rockland, Maine, passed away peacefully, Friday, March 19, at the Gosnell Memorial Hospice House, in Scarborough, after a brief illness, surrounded by the love of his family.

Michael was born in St. Paul, Minnesota on October 10, 1964 to Patricia Liberty Higgins and Harry P. Higgins.

Following his parents’ divorce, Michael settled in Rockland with his mother and siblings. His mother, Patty, married Bill Foster, who was like a father to Michael throughout his life. Bill and the extended Foster family loved and accepted Michael as one of their own. Moving to Owl’s Head a few years later, Michael attended Owl’s Head Central School and graduated from Rockland District High School in 1983. He attended the University of Maine at Orono for two years studying math and electrical engineering.

Michael had many fond memories of growing up in Rockland and Owl’s Head, particularly time spent with his siblings, relatives and friends, enjoying frequent family get-togethers, building treehouses, playing ball with kids from the neighborhood, and going to Lucia Beach. He was a gifted student and athlete, excelling in math and science as well as baseball, football, basketball, golf and tennis. As a youth, he was an altar server and active in the Catholic Youth Organization at St. Bernard Catholic Church in Rockland. Michael was exceptionally talented at working with his hands, building anything he set his mind to. He used his ingenuity and engineering abilities to start a lobster trap building business, designing several mechanisms to increase efficiency.

Throughout his life, Michael had a keen interest in mathematics. His lifelong passion, his focus was on developing a complex system of numerical analysis which he strongly believed could be used to better improve society for all people. Out of everything he accomplished in his life, Michael considered his daughter, Amber, to be his greatest accomplishment; he loved her with all his heart and was incredibly proud of her throughout her childhood as well as proud of the amazing, beautiful woman she has become.

Michael was predeceased by his parents; his step-father, Bill Foster; his maternal grandparents, Lyle and Elsie Liberty; and his paternal grandparents Harry and Rose Higgins.

He is survived by his daughter, Amber Higgins of Meriden, Connecticut; his sisters, Carol Mills of South Thomaston, Mara Nadeau of North Yarmouth, Laura Johnson of Alexandria, Virginia, Jennifer Lauro of Perkinsville, Vermont; Patty Harrington of Hampton, New Hampshire; Julie McNaughten of Rockville, Maryland; and Diane Dietrich of Alexandria, Virginia; his brothers, Patrick Higgins of Windham, New York, Bill Higgins of Charlotte, North Carolina, and Tim Foster of Hampton, New Hampshire.

He is also survived by a special aunt and uncle, Dottie and Bob Liberty of Owl’s Head, and will be greatly missed by many nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts and uncles.

A Mass of Christian Burial will take place Wednesday, March 24, 2021, at 11 a.m., at St. Bernard Catholic Church, 150 Broadway, in Rockland. 

All are invited to join virtually by logging on to Michael’s Book of Memories at www.bchfh.com, then clicking the “Photos & Videos” Tab, where a Watch Webcast link will be available.

Michael will be buried at Coughlin Cemetery in Rockland on a later date.

The family is most grateful for the exceptional care Michael received during his time at the Gosnell Memorial Hospice House in Scarborough.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating in Michael’s name to Gosnell Memorial Hospice/Hospice of Southern Maine, 390 US Route One, Scarborough, ME 04074 or make an online gift at hospiceofsouthernmaine.org.

To share a memory or condolence with Michael’s family, please visit their Book of Memories at bchfh.com

Arrangements are in the care of Burpee, Carpenter & Hutchins Funeral Home, 100 Limerock St., Rockland.