Obituary of Brendan J. O'Higgins

Potsdam – Brendan Joseph O’Higgins 65, passed away on Friday, Jan 21, 2022 in the comfort of his family home surrounded by those that loved him. Following Brendan’s wishes his family will honor his life privately along with his mother Josie O’Higgins who passed on Sunday. Arrangements are entrusted to Hammill Funeral Home in Winthrop. Brendan was born in Chicago, Illinois on September 28, 1956, son of the late Margaret “Josie” O’Higgins (McKiernan) and the late Francis “Frank” O’Higgins. Brendan grew up in Brooklyn NY until age 14, attended Holy Cross School, was an altar boy and an avid bike rider, his favorite places were Prospect Park, Sheepshead Bay and Brighton Beach. Brendan was quite the entrepreneur as a child, he had his shoeshine kit at the church and synagogues every Sunday and Saturday and he was always in demand to run errands on his bike for the neighbors. Everyone loved Brendan with his cheerful loving spirit. In 1969 the family relocated to the Hudson Valley. Brendan graduated from Newburgh Free Academy in 1974. After working locally in the Hudson Valley, Brendan joined the United States Army as an infantryman, earning Sharpshooter and Markman. Brendan was an avid outdoorsman, loved nature, especially fishing, everyday during fishing season he would be at one of his favorite spots. He taught all his nephews and grand nephews and nieces how to fish. Brendan was also an artist from an early age and enjoy stamp collecting with his nephews. Brendan’s quiet humor, gentle nature and giving soul will live on with us until we meet again. Brendan is survived by his sister, Veronica “Vera” Lawson and her husband Burness “Burney” Lawson, and their children nephews, Shane Michael Reeder, his children, Emma Rose Reeder, Summer Rose Reeder and Derrick Landon Reeder, Kevin Francis Reeder his spouse Mandy Reeder and their children, Molly Jean Reeder and Dylan Michael Reeder, Malcolm Burness Lawson and his son Aiden, his brother Kieran Francis O’Higgins, his wife Brenda O’Higgins, their children nephew Matthew White and his wife Suzey and niece Melissa Caldwell and her spouse Christopher and their children Connor Brice Caldwell and Morgan McKenzie Caldwell. Brendan is also survived by many cousins in Ireland, England and Guam.