James H. Higgins (Jim), beloved husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather, passed away on Thursday, July 11, 2013, in Cooperstown, NY at the age of 83. He was born on November 26, 1929, in Burlington Flats, NY, to Harold W. and Ruth Hall Higgins. Jim spent his entire life in the West Exeter, Burlington Flats, Edmeston area and spent many years on the family farm at Brainards Corners. On November 12, 1955, he married Mary Agnes Feisthamel in Chadwicks, NY.The couple spent many years at Brainards Corners raising their four children and maintaining a very successful dairy farm. Jim decided to add another dimension to his life and he became the Town of Exeter Supervisor. He then ran for and was elected to the Otsego County Board of Legislators.In 1975, Jim was elected to the position of Otsego County Treasurer, a job he held for 18 years.His ethical standards were respected by all of his professional colleagues and he was held in high esteem by all who worked with him.Those who knew Jim knew him as a gentleman and a gentle man. In addition to enjoying his work, Jim spent many happy summers at his summer home on Canadarago Lake or on the golf course.While he was proud of his Hole in One and various tournament wins, he also took pride in the weeklong visit by his eight grandchildren each summer. Jim spent many an hour driving his grandchildren around the lake or towing them for hours on end as they each learned to water ski. Jim leaves his wife of 57 years, Mary Agnes.He also is survived by his children: Michael and Betty Sue, Me., Stephen and Natalie, AZ, Diane Higgins and Jerry Archambault,NY, and Eric and Robin,NY.He also leaves his grandchildren, Matthew ( Kaitlyn), Collin, Phillip (Lindsey), Alex (Joani), Susan ( Chris) Ramage, Michelle (Tim) Higgins-Marshall, and Jennifer (Bill); and his great grandchildren Sara and Annabelle. He leaves his brothers, Howard and Jennie of Burlington Flats, Donald and Cookie, FL., and his sister, Peggy and Jim, OH. He also leaves his sisters in law Sandy Higgins, Jane Feisthamel and Mary Margaret Snyder, Eileen Feisthamel, and numerous nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, Jim was predeceased by his sister, Betty Huntington, his brother, David, and his grandson, Scott. The family will be present to receive relatives and friends at the J. Seaton McGrath Funeral Home, 40 West James St., Richfield Springs on Friday, July 26, from 4 PM until 7PM. A memorial service will be held at 11 AM on Saturday, July 27, at the Burlington Flats Baptist Church. The family requests no flowers.Memorial contributions in Jims memory may be made to the Catskill Area Hospice or to the charity of your choice.