This memorial website was created in memory of our much loved Patrick Higgins, 60, born on August 9, 1955 and passed away on April 11, 2016. We will remember him forever.
To honor and remember Pat, please leave tributes below and stories (click on tab). We'd love your photos - please add to the Gallery!!! ~We thank you! ~
Service - Friday, April 29, 2016 at 2:00pm
St Rose of Lima Catholic Church, 555 3rd Ave, Crockett, CA 94525
Pat's "See Ya Bye" Party to follow at nearby Boy Scout Hall
991 Loring Ave, Crockett, CA 94525
Patrick Sean Higgins was born on August 9, 1955. Pat passed away on April 11, 2016 from bile duct cancer. He was surrounded by family and friends to the very last second. He leaves behind two sons, three brothers and two sisters, along with an extraordinary set of cherished close friends and support system.
Pat was a fireman’s fireman, and always gave 110%. He loved hanging out with friends, old and new. If firemen were there, it was even better.
Pat loved:
Campfires and house fires, any kind of fire
Old Ford Mustangs
Old muscle cars
4 wheel drives
Angels Camp
Girls and Guns
Dr. Pepper (in a bottle only)
Budweiser beer
Elvis Presley
Singing
Anything collectible
Motorcycles, old and new
Nascar racing
Oldies 60’s - 70’s music
Baseball caps
Holding court with his friends
Conservative politics
Wrestling, high school and college
Finding a deal
Making a deal
Winning
The United States Military
The National Anthem
The U.S.A.
~ Pat will be deeply missed by all who knew him. When Pat was done with a conversation or phone call, he always signed off with the words “see ya bye” ~
Tributes
Leave a tributePat and I had several levels to our relationship over the years. He was a Mentor who showed me the meaning of what it took to be a real firemen and evolved to Brothers having too much fun in the Firehouse and around the Campfire. When I was promoted to Captain he was my Driver on truck 21 and we entered into our relationship which consisted of him always watching my back as my right hand and me Covering his backside as his Supervisor, and we both had tough jobs! I will never forget my ole Man laughing his ass off when I got promoted and assigned to Truck 21 "Now YOU can try and keep Higgy out of trouble!" Merton loved Pat like a son and he let us know very loudly how much "he loved us" !
Pat saved my ass many times over the years and we fought a lot of fire together. But what I will remember the most about Pat was how talented he was in teaching young people how to do the job the right way in a manner that would keep it fun but always kept it real.
His mark will be left on the Vallejo Fire Department for generations as the lessons we all learned from him are passed down, sometimes as Legend, to future generations. And he will always have a special place in my heart for helping to make my son Conor the man he is today by always reinforcing the work ethic and attitude needed to be a Mans Man!
See Ya Bye Brother......
Pat was the one you wanted to have your back on a call.
Rest in Peace Pat.
Heaven just became a more popular destination, keep the camp fire lit for me!
Now that your there, please keep Norm Markus from running through the fire! Rest in peace brother,
Pat touched many young men's lives like no other Coach could. Straight talker who would drop you for talking any shit.
I still tell stories of my wrestling days, taught my boys what he taught me, have fond memories of being on his team's, going to Squaw Valley camps and Silver Creek afterwards, Love Ave, mustangs and so much more
RIP Coach
10/2/4 forever
Campo class of 1985
It meant so much that some of you made it in time to visit with him.Some of the last before he passed away were Peni Inukihanganna and Ray Trujillo, he was so pleased to see you all.
"Pat, my brother-in-law of many years, we’ve known each other since we were 15. Early memories of us sitting across from each other in Mrs Clark’s 9th grade World History class. And you at 95 lbs on Del Valle’s wrestling team. One of my most fun memories is when you let me spin donuts with your Jeep in the orange grove near the Porterville house (23574 Ave 124 - I still remember the Higgins address there!)
You, Pat, were a character. No doubt about it. I watched you grow up, through all those crazy stages.
Fast-forward to now, sweet brother-in-law — this last week of your time on earth I was blessed beyond measure as I witnessed your courage, attention to detail, your heart’s desires, thoughtfulness, graciousness and humbleness — all these things shining through in a way I’d never seen before - you were amazing!!! Pat, brave man, we saw you off and rejoice we’ll meet again!"
Joyce Higgins
For a man that lived Larger Than Life, stood up for right and wrong.
A true friend. We lost a legend, We lost a dear soul.
Rest at Peace Pat.
You will live forever in our hearts
10-2-4
"Well, I was drunk the day my mom got out of prison
And I went to pick her up in the rain
But before I could get to the station in a pickup truck
She got run'd over by a damned old train
And I'll hang around as long as you will let me
And I never minded standing in the rain
You don't have to call me darlin', darlin'
You never even called me, well, I wonder why you don't call me
Why don't you ever call me by my name?"
Leave a Tribute
4 Passes for Pat Ride
And that tribute ride was planned because we had been loosely talking about a street ride with Pat before his passing. He'd already sold the Markham Harley & had been discussing the possibility of buying another street bike for a road trip (Possibly an older Yamaha?) since he'd recently sold a house & his financial situation was going to be improving in August of 2016 due to a financial obligation coming to an end. Anyway, he would've/could've/should've been on this ride & just might have been with the weather we were blessed with on that ride. It was in the earlier part of October (The weekend of the 8th/9th) & it had rained up in Tahoe (The area where the first phase of our ride ended) the previous weekend & SNOWED the following weekend. But the weekend of our ride, South Lake Tahoe had a high of 70 degrees, sunny & clear! We ALL said it was Pat looking out for us. It was a great ride & we ended it, where else? At the Angels Camp "Higdoo" house. Other non-riders who knew Pat came up to meet us there & celebrate his life & passing. Pat's ex, Martha & his good friend, retired fire captain, Mike DeRoque fixed a spagetti dinner (NO MUSHROOMS!) for us all & we all toasted Pat with Budweisers. Sure felt as though he was with us on that ride.
Rest in peace old friend. Hard to believe it's already been two years since you left us. But hey, we'll see ya, bye!
4 Passes for Pat , Tribute Ride of 2016
We started at Brother Jim's House and Rode to Tahoe the First Day and went over a Couple of Passes to get There . The next Day We rode into Nevada , thru Markleville and Displayed the Finger for Pat in this Group Foto Stop at This Cool Mountain Pass Restaurant on It's Last Day before closing for the Winter . As You may imagine , We ordered a Round of Irish Coffees and Clinked Our Cups to Patrick Sean Higgins !
Let's "Do It Again" .... Seeya-Bye ..