Joseph G. Higgins

Joseph G. Higgins, 39 of Santa Rosa, NM passed away Friday, November 24, 2017 at U.N.M. Hospital in Albuquerque following an illness. He was born July 6, 1978 in San Diego, CA. He grew up in Santa Rosa where he attended Santa Rosa schools. During his high school years he participated in Lion sports, football, basketball, and track. He was a member of National Honor Society. Joseph graduated with the class of 1996. Joseph worked for several years in mechanical heating and cooling. He was also a handyman and worked for many Santa Rosa residents. He was a certified CDL driver and worked for T & T Trucking. He worked at the Sinclair building west of Santa Rosa during their construction remodel and reopening. He also worked with his mother at the Sun & Sand Restaurant in Santa Rosa. Joseph served in the NM National Guard. He was a member of St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church. He enjoyed spending time with his family and friends, loved to cook, listen to music, sing, and as a hobby worked on anything electric. In his younger years he enjoyed hunting with his family and friends. Joseph married Francisca C. Saiz on November 19, 2014 in Puerto De Luna. Joseph is preceded in death by his paternal grandparents John and Willa Higgins, maternal grandparents Roberto and Antonia Urban, two uncles Fredrick Higgins, and Juan Lopez, and an aunt Anna Madrid. Joseph was a loving husband, father, son, brother, uncle, and friend. He will be missed by his wife Francisca Higgins of the home in Puerto De Luna, three children Elizabeth Higgins of Puerto De Luna, Amber Higgins, and Austin Higgins both of Santa Rosa. His parents Mary Lou and Ernest Tapia of Santa Rosa, Joe and Theresa Higgins of Savannah, Georgia, three sisters Jennifer Cordova and husband Daryl of Sandia Park, NM, Antonia Lucero and husband Cristobal of Santa Rosa, Amanda Tapia of Santa Rosa, mother and father in law Ruben and Isabel Saiz of Puerto De Luna, grandparents Steve and Odelia Tapia of Pastura, nieces and nephews Natasha, Sarah, Jonas, and William Cordova, Samantha Tapia-Lucero, Cristobal Lucero II, Estevan Lucero, Reyes Lucero, AvaLei Tapia, along with numerous aunts, uncles, other relatives and many friends. A rosary followed by the Mass of Christian burial will be held at 10:00 am Thursday, November 30, 2017 from St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church in Santa Rosa with Father Christopher Bernabe officiating. Burial will follow at the Cuervo Cemetery, Cuervo, NM. Pallbearers will include Cristobal Lucero, Daryl Cordova, Geno Higgins, Shawn Higgins, Jose Saiz, J.R. Urban, David Urban, and Tommy Gonzales. Honorary bearers will be all his many friends and family. Arrangements are under the direction of Chavez Funeral Home, 923 S. Third Street, Santa Rosa, NM. (575) 472-3369.