Dr. Thomas D. Higgins passed away on Saturday, September 12, 2015.

As the Chief Economist and Global Macro Strategist for Standish Asset Management/Bank of New York Mellon, Tom's professional opinion was consistently sought out and respected within the global financial community, although he often summarized his expertise by saying that he simply "talked to people for a living".

Tom received his Ph.D. and M.A. degrees in Economics from Fordham University and held a B.A. in Economics from Drew University, where he was a Garden State Scholar. Prior to Standish, he held positions in New York City and Los Angeles where he served for three years as a board member for both the California Council on Economic Education and the LA Economic Development Corporation.

Tom lived without pretense and was as comfortable speaking publicly at client events or debating the economy on frequent live television appearances as he was at home making pancakes for his children.  Ultimately family was everything for him.

Tom was born in Englewood, New Jersey and raised in a large and loving family by parents Ron and Claire (VanLeuvan) Higgins in Pompton Lakes, New Jersey.  He was the youngest of seven close knit siblings whose devotion to each other was never clearer than during the last two years.

Tom married his soul mate Lori in 2008 and together they lived out their vows of devotion in sickness and in health.  Their marriage enhanced the best parts of themselves, and produced four adored children including daughter Alexa (22) whom Tom helped raise from the age of 12, twins Lilah and Grace (4) and son Henry "Hank" Thomas (3).  He took great pleasure in his children's exuberant happiness and boundless energy and devoted his free time sharing his love of the outdoors with them.

As a man of deep and quiet faith, Tom found solace and affirmation of the divine at the ocean.  He enjoyed sailing, surfing and windsurfing and traveled around the world enjoying his hobbies in various ocean locales including Tom and Lori's frequent vacations together in Hawaii as well as time spent with their children at his family's home in Long Beach Island, New Jersey where Tom relished his childhood summers.  Together Tom and Lori celebrated their 7th wedding anniversary with friends and family at the St. Stephens Episcopal beach service in Cohasset, MA on August 30. He never lost his sense of wonder and gratitude for his own good fortune which also made him a joy to be around.

Tom touched the lives of those around him with his consistently upbeat attitude. This was most evident in his unwavering conviction that he would beat multiple myeloma.

He was preceded in death by his Father, Ron Higgins whom he greatly admired.

In addition to his wife and children, Tom leaves behind his mother Claire Higgins, his siblings Michael Higgins, Timothy Higgins, Ellen MacDonald, Susan Barone, Barbara Habeeb and Kathleen Pavey along with their families including thirteen treasured nieces and nephews.  He also leaves behind many aunts, uncles, cousins, close friends and colleagues.  He will be greatly missed and always remembered.

Tom's family would like to acknowledge the exceptional care given by his medical teams at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Dana Farber Cancer Center, Boston and Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York City.

A celebration of Tom's life will be held at 10 am on Saturday, September 19, 2015 at St. Stephens Episcopal Church, 16 Highland Avenue, Cohasset, Massachusetts 02025.

In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations be made in his memory to the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation.