CUSHING — G. Albert Higgins, Jr., 91, died in loving care at the Homestead on August 1, 2023, after a day spent in the company of his daughter, hearing stories and listening to sacred choral music. He was an educator, avid reader, accomplished tenor, sailor, and life-long learner. He will be lovingly remembered as a man with a brilliant mind, sweet nature, and strong wit.

Al was born February 3, 1932, in Lawrence, Massachusetts, to Rev. George Albert and Myrtle Vivian (Goodwin) Higgins.

Education was paramount to him. He obtained his secondary education from Mount Hermon School (class of 1950), and in the process earned a full Navy ROTC scholarship to attend the University of California at Los Angeles. While performing tenor in his university and church choirs, he alighted under the wing of T. Raymond Moremen, chair of the UCLA Music Department and choir director at several area churches, who became an instrumental figure in Al’s life. The Moremen family took Al into their home and treated him like a second son.

As a solo tenor with the Madrigal Singers under Mr. Moremen’s direction, Al recalled enthusiastic, packed houses at Royce Hall auditorium. Al loved to sing choral music and often told of his delight in the role of Lord High Executioner in the Madrigal Singer’s production of the The Mikado during this time.

After graduating UCLA with a Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics in 1954, Al assumed his military duty. He graduated the US Pacific Fleet Amphibious School, San Diego, and the US Naval Justice School in Newport, Rhode Island. His last active duty was as Executive Officer and Navigator (with command qualification) of USS Kemper County (LST-854). He was honorably discharged in 1957, attaining the rank LTJG. In his final years, Al remained an articulate storyteller. His favorite story was of climbing Mt. Fuji while stationed in Japan.

Offered command of his own ship in Vietnam, Al instead chose to begin a teaching career while continuing his education — earning a Master of Arts in Liberal Studies from Wesleyan University (1961) and a Master of Natural Science from Worcester Polytechnic Institute (1984).

From 1957 to 1983, Al taught mathematics, physics, and computer science at Mount Hermon School (which became coed Northfield Mount Hermon during his tenure), with sabbatical stints at Dartmouth College (1967, 1969–1970) and Phillips Exeter Academy (1977–1978). He served as Associate Dean at Mount Hermon and for many years he was chair of the Mathematics Department and coached soccer, hockey, and lacrosse. He was proud of his involvement with the nascent computer language BASIC in the 1960s, during which he served as curriculum consultant at Dartmouth’s Kiewit Computation Center for the National Science Foundation’s Academic Computing Project, and is the author of The Elementary Functions: An Algorithmic Approach (1973, Prentice-Hall). In recognition of his service to NMH school, particularly his leadership advancing computer science education at the secondary school level, the NMH computer lab is named for him.

Al was likewise instrumental in developing the computer science curriculum at Maine Maritime Academy in Castine in the 1980s. As chair of the Arts and Sciences Department at MMA, he taught physics, calculus, and computer science from 1983 to 1991. He was appointed Academic Dean and Vice-President in 1991, retiring in 1994.

Al enjoyed reading, sailing and restoring wooden boats, and keeping busy with building projects at his property on the Schoodic Peninsula until he was felled by mental illness in 2015. He lived briefly in Laconia, New Hampshire, then Orono, Maine, before relocating to Cushing in 2020 to be near his daughter.

Al married his first wife, Joan Aubrie Benson, on June 21, 1954; they divorced in 1960. He married his second wife, Mary Ann Efird, on December 17, 1960; they separated in 2015. The latter marriage produced three children.

Predeceased by his parents, older brother Paul, second wife, heart-dog Banyan, and grand-dog Cutter; Al is survived by his first wife; his children (and their spouses): Eric (Christine), Wendy (Marc Craig), and David; his grandchildren: Dylan, Skye, and Margot; and his beloved grand-dog Blue (who died after Al’s passing).

In the last half of his life, Al was closest with his daughter Wendy. She stepped in to advocate for him when illness changed him, helped him rebuild a life of dignity, and stood by him till the end. She wouldn’t have succeeded without the devoted and compassionate staff at The Homestead and ASK for Home Care. He made indelible connections with the remarkable caregivers there and they truly became like a second family. (Special thanks to Penny, Breezy before her, and to Barbara and Diana at the end.)

At Al’s request, no services were held. Donations may be made in his memory to the Schoodic Community Fund at Maine Community Foundation (245 Main Street, Ellsworth, ME, 04605, 207-667-9735, mainecf.org).

Arrangements were in the care of Burpee, Carpenter & Hutchins Funeral Home, Rockland, Maine. To share a memory or condolence with Al’s family, please visit their Book of Memories at www.bchfh.com.