Deacon Frederick Higgins died on Aug. 23. He was 98 and had been the oldest deacon of the Archdiocese of Louisville.
Deacon Higgins was ordained a permanent deacon for the Archdiocese of Louisville in 1978.
He served at St. Charles Borromeo and Holy Cross churches. In 1990, St. Charles, Holy Cross and St. Benedict churches merged to form St. Martin de Porres Church, where Deacon Higgins served until the time of his death. He was also retired from the USPS and held a current mortician’s license.
Deacon Higgins founded Council #219 of the Knights of St. Peter Claver, where he served as grand knight. He served as the national editor of the Knights’ annual publication “The Claverite” for 12 years. Deacon Higgins also founded the Junior Knights and the Ladies Auxiliary at St. Martin de Porres.
Deacon Higgins also ministered to prisoners at the old Jefferson County jail.
He is survived by his daughter, Katheryn D. Higgins, and three granddaughters.
The Funeral Mass was celebrated on Aug. 29 at St. Martin de Porres. He was buried at Calvary Cemetery.
