Norman E. Higgins

Norman E. Higgins, 89, of Pleasant View St., Griswold, CT passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family on April, 21, 2026 at the Backus Hospital

“Stormin’ Norman” was a force of nature; a man who lived each day of his life on his own terms with passion, purpose, and persistence while being guided by his core principle of continuously striving for excellence.

Norm was born in Quaker Hill, CT, on November 18, 1936 to the late Beverley and Beulah (Marr) Higgins. From his earliest days in Quaker Hill and New London, Norm acquired an insatiable love for life, learning and running, as he embraced an unrivaled work ethic and an altruistic nature. These early lessons were cultivated in Norm’s gregarious spirit by his parents, his siblings, his teachers, his coaches, and his mentors.

Every person that Norm encountered during his lifetime was someone he was destined to know.

Every obstacle in his path was a hurdle he negotiated with confidence.

Every adventure in his lifetime became another page in his collection of stories that he would share with everyone who would listen.

Norm’s lifetime of accomplishments included:

*working from a young age to help contribute to his family’s income

*graduating from New London High School

*serving his country by enlisting in the U.S. Army

*training with the best athletes and coaches of his generation to hone his marathon skills

*racing against the best marathoners in the world in pursuit of an American record and a berth on the Olympic Team

*establishing the Age Group Athletic Association (AGAA) track club to introduce track and field to athletes of all ages and talent;

*promoting equality for women athletes during the Title IX era;

*volunteering at the USCGA to train the men’s distance runners and to help integrate the first classes of women cadets into the sport of  track and field

*coaching his most talented athletes toward their Olympic Dreams;

*successfully operating Connecticut Sporting Goods for 54 years (1972-2026);

*generously sharing his knowledge of the Mihaly Igloi Interval Training system and the German technical training system by mentoring interested coaches.

Norm’s heartfelt passion for life was evident in:

*his love for his siblings and their children

*his love for his wife, Judy Fontaine-Higgins, who he married on August 18, 1998, and who survives him

*his love for his children and their children

*his single handed creation of the Brewster Arboretum, cross country course, and campground on his land in Griswold;

*his renovation and aesthetic design of his home with an abundance of windows and exotic wood;

*his commitment to attending important Griswold town meetings and budget referendums

*his love for driving Mercedes Benz cars and negotiating his next purchase from his favorite salesman, Gene Stickney

*his willingness to offer assistance to the young athletes from his wife’s track & field and cross country team at Lisbon Central school

*traveling to far-off lands in search of adventure with his  family

*his establishing of the Beverley and Beulah Higgins Memorial Foundation at the USCGA

*his generosity in donating all merchandise during the closure of Connecticut Sporting Goods Co. to the non profit ‘Play It Forward Foundation’ of East Lyme.

Besides his wife, Judy, Norman is survived by his son, Justin Missey-Higgins, (Taylor), his daughter, Jaclyn Missey-Higgins, his sister, Shirley Hair, his grandchildren, Matilda and Gideon Missey-Higgins, Jaxson and Weylon Powell, Oliver Warren, a step grandchild Alyse Lazor, as well as many nieces and nephews.

Besides his parents his brothers, Arnold, and Gerald, his sister Audrey, predeceased Norm and his nephew Norman Hair predeceased Norman.

A celebration of life will be held at 6:00PM on June 12, 2026 at The Lisbon Community Center, 11 South Burnham Highway, Lisbon, CT 06351

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Norm’s memory to the Higgins Endowment. Checks can be made to the USCGA Alumni Association with a note “In Memory of Norm Higgins” and mailed to USCGA Alumni Association, 47 Mohegan Ave. New London, CT 06320

In the words of Maya Angelou,

“All storms run out of rain!”

Norm, May your radiant spirit be at peace.

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