Joseph Michael Higgins III, MD, CMD, 53, of Mickleton, N.J. passed away on August 3, 2013. The husband of Kathleen Parenti Higgins, he was born and raised in Vineland, and was the son of the late Joseph M. and Louise (Rambone) Higgins Jr. Dr. Higgins obtained a BS from Dickinson College and a MS from Georgetown University. He obtained his MD from the New Jersey Medical School in Newark, N.J. and completed his internship and residency at Jefferson Medical College. His career began at Laskin & Higgins Internal Medicine. For 19 years, he took great joy in caring for his patients, many of whom he considered friends. He then transitioned to the position of Regional Medical Director at HCR Manor Care, where he quickly became an integral part of the Manor Care Family. Most recently, he assumed the position of Atlantic Coastal Divisional Medical Director, overseeing 55 Manor Care facilities from New Jersey to Florida. Joe was an avid hunter, fisherman, and all around outdoorsman. A true Irishman, Joe never missed a Notre Dame football game. Above all, Joe was most passionate about his family. He rarely missed his daughters' softball or field hockey games and treasured his summers with his family all together on the lake in Canada. He is survived by Kathleen, his high school sweetheart and wife of 27 years, and also by his 3 daughters, Kelly, Caitlin and Danielle Higgins. He is also survived by his sister Stephanie (Ron) Mejia of Vineland, mother-in-law Grace Parenti and step-mother Marianna Higgins, brothers-in-law Robert (Julie) Parenti and Vince (Lauri) Parenti as well as many nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by his sister Maria Rose Higgins and father-in-law Vincent B. Parenti. Church Visitations will be held on Monday evening from 5pm to 9pm and again on Tuesday morning from 10am to 11:15am followed by a Funeral Mass at 11:30am from Church Of The Incarnation, 240 Main Street, Mantua, NJ. Final Disposition will be private at the convenience of the family. ARRANGEMENTS are under the supervision of RONE FUNERAL SERVICE, 1110 East Chestnut Avenue, Vineland, NJ 08360 At the family's request in lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Kingsway Education Foundation, c/o Joseph M. Higgins MD, 213 Kings Highway, Woolwich Twp., N.J. 08085 or online at www.kingswayeducationfoundation.com. To send online condolences please visit the "Book of Memories" Tribute/Condolence section on our website at www.ronefuneralservice.com