Obituary of Don C. Higgins

Niskayuna-Don Cheney Higgins MD passed away peacefully at his home in Niskayuna during the early morning hours of April 1st, 2010. Don was born on August 15th, 1928 in Oklahoma City, OK; he was the son of Donald and Dorothy Higgins. He spent much of his youth residing with his family in New York City, and graduated from Newtown High School in Jackson Heights, Queens with the class of 1946. He later graduated from the College of Agriculture at Cornell University in 1950, and the SUNY College of Medicine in Syracuse with the class of 1955. He completed his internship at Bellevue Hospital in New York City and his residency at the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, MD. Don had a long and distinguished career as a neurologist; over the many years of his career he practiced at various medical institutions, including the Yale-New Haven Hospital, the John L. McClellan Memorial Veterans Hospital of Little Rock, AK and the Samuel S. Stratton VA Medical Center of Albany, NY. Additionally, he served our country in the Naval Medical Corps, and at one time had a private practice. He served on the faculty of the Yale School of Medicine, the University of Arkansas for Medical Science, and Albany Medical College; he worked with medical students completing their residencies as well as conducting research in the field of neurology. His work has been published in various medical journals. For those who knew him best, Don will be remembered for his calm and quiet demeanor, his unique sense of humor and wit, and his willingness to share his knowledge with anyone who cared to listen. In addition to his interest in neurology, he was fascinated by history and in particular the history of the American Civil War. He had a fondness for railroads, enjoyed model railroading, was an avid stamp collector, and enjoyed bird-watching. Don was predeceased by his sister, Mary Anne Knowles, and his former wife, Ruth Whitnah. With his passing, he leaves behind his beloved family; his wife of 26 years, Susan Higgins; his four children, Cheryl Higgins, Robert Higgins, Mary Jane Higgins Gagliardi, and Don A. Higgins; his five grandchildren, Melissa Thomas, Karen Thomas, Elisa Gagliardi, Francesca Gagliardi and Christian Gagliardi; and his two great-granddaughters Natasha Fitzpatrick and Emily Witz. Relatives and friends are invited to attend funeral services on Tuesday, April 6th at 11 AM at the Jones Funeral Home, 1503 Union St., (at McClellan St.), Schenectady, NY. Calling hours will be Monday evening from 5 PM to 8 PM at the Jones Funeral Home for those who wish to call. Burial will follow the service at Most Holy Redeemer Cemetery, Niskayuna. Memorial contributions in lieu of flowers my be made in Don's memory to Community Hospice of Schenectady, 1411, Union St., Schenectady, NY 12308.