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!

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 .. 

It breaks my heart to hear the news.  Pat and Jim were like a set of fathers to me growing up.  They taught us all how to be part of something bigger than ourselves!  That no matter what, we were all brothers and had to stick together!  One big diverse family of misfits.  Too many life stories and great memories.  My heart goes out to all Pat's family and loved ones.  It's been so long since I’ve seen you all (Jim, John "Hey Yah”, Mike "my old roommate", and his beautiful sisters Mary & Sheila!  I am truly sorry for your loss!  I hope Avery and Pat have reunited in heaven!  I am so proud to have known Pat.  He will be missed, but his brotherly love will never die!  

10/2/4

See Ya Bye, coach! 

I love all the photos!

 I find it ironic that there is a picture of us on a ski trip because that is the only thing I know he hated!  When we would sneak off to go skiing during the season.  That must have been in April! 

I couldn't find any pictures so I thought I would share this article of one of the greatest years I can remember! 

I will never forget the first time I set eyes on you.  The love began then and never ceased, you will forever be missed. 

Love your Ney

Dottie xo

Pat entertaining the fire safety crew at Sears Point Raceway, I think he knew every word to every oldies song ever written....

  The Higgins boys knew Dewitt from way back. We first ran into Dewitt-- AKA Markham---at the DVC weight room where he and his son Glenn were monsters on the bench press!!

They fell in to our circle of friends easily as they loved all the things we did-- fast cars, fat women, whiskey--ask John Higgins about their binge night! We did so much together---- and then Glenn was diagnosed with cancer and passed away at a horribly early age. May have been 21/22. But we always remained friends with Markham. He came to kids birthdays, Thanksgiving, Christmas. I got massive support from him during my divorce.

 And then Markham was diagnosed with cancer. He did the chemo and radiation, but there came a time when there was nothing more to be done. Pat and I became his advocates and caretakers. This was a side of Pat I had never seen.He spent countless hours with Dewitt, and fed him and cleaned him when he was unable to get to the bathroom. Truly an amazing effort. Dewitt passed at home as he wished , mostly due to Pat's efforts.His ashes are spread up at Angels Camp.

 Here is a pic of Dewitt and good friend Dave Stochl-- another fireman cut down by cancer-- they are compoaring radiation treatment notes----

I'm very sorry for your family's loss. During high school I would come to your house once in awhile with my boyfriend. It was always crazy there, I wondered if anybody ever slept,  What struck even more though was the very obvious love you guys had for each other. Even though I was more of an acquaitance of the Higgins brothers, I've never forgotten that.
I'll remember Pat and your family in my prayers tonight.

Mary