Dr. Thomas “Tom” Higgins passed away from a fatal stroke Friday, March 11, surrounded by his loving family.
Born May 25, 1944 in New York City, Tom fostered an early fascination with science, sparked by a childhood book called “The Stars for Sam.”
Growing up in Tenafly, New Jersey, Tom worked countless hours as a young adult in the Grand Union grocery store to afford his dream of becoming a physician, which he determinedly achieved through numerous academic achievements and scholarships, graduating from Fordham University in 1966 with a Bachelor Degree in Science, followed by his medical degree from George Washington University in 1970.
Around that time, he met Rosanne Perone at his best friend Leo’s wedding, and his life changed forever. They fell in love, married, and while interning at Greenwich Hospital in Greenwich, Connecticut, had their first son, Brian. This embryonic trio forged together while Tom served in the Air Force, and later during his residency at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York, before moving to Charlotte, North Carolina to start his medical practice as an attending pathologist at Presbyterian Hospital, where his family expanded upon the birth of their son, Brendan, creating a quartet that would be inseparable for years to come.
They later moved back to Greenwich, where Tom would continue his practice at United Hospital in Port Chester, New York, ultimately becoming Chairman of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, as well as the Medical Director of Smithkline Beecham Clinical Laboratories in Syosset, New York. Tom also added positions as Laboratory Director of multiple hospitals during that time, while maintaining professional responsibilities as the New York State Commissioner, College of American Pathologists, Laboratory Inspection & Accreditation Program.
After Tom’s sons had grown and graduated under his diligent and devoted care, Tom would become Chief of Pathology and Director of the Blood Bank at Northern Westchester Hospital in Mount Kisco, New York before creating Westchester Pathology Associates, where he would continue his relationship with Northern Westchester, as well as providing services to numerous other hospitals in the Northwell Health network. Tom also created and led the Tumor Board at Northern Westchester, a weekly meeting of specialized doctors and other health care providers, where he would present challenging and unusual cancer cases in an effort to provide the best possible treatment plan for affected patients. His passion to provide care through his vast expertise never waned, and he took pride in cultivating and indoctrinating his colleagues in all facets of pathology.
Tom retired soon after his beloved wife Ro passed in 2016, and enjoyed his final years with his family, especially in his new role as Grandpa for his grandson, Fitzgerald.
We will miss: Tom’s lively conversations; long dinners; loud cheers for his beloved New England Patriots; drumming his fingers while listening to his favorite jazz compositions; classic literature analogies; boyish laughter; loving disposition; and loyal kindness.
Tom is survived by: his sons Brian (Rebekka Higgins) and Brendan (Markie Campbell); grandson Fitzgerald; brothers Jim and Michael; sisters Marge, Pat (deceased), and Kathy; and companion, Ginny Hamilton. He was predeceased by his wife of 47 years, Rosanne.
Funeral services will be held at Saint Catherine of Siena Church in Riverside, Saturday, March 19th, at 1:00pm. Internment to immediately follow at Saint Mary’s Cemetery, in Greenwich.
In lieu of flowers, please consider making a memorial donation to the American Cancer Society.