Monsignor Laurence E. Higgins, founder and pastor of the St. Lawrence Parish in Tampa, passed away Wednesday (Aug. 24).

TAMPA – Arrangements have been set for the visitation and funeral of Monsignor Laurence E. Higgins.

Msgr. Higgins, 87, died early Wednesday (Aug. 24) at his rectory home. He was the founder of the St. Lawrence Parish in Tampa and a well-known presence at civic and athletic events.

Visitation will be held from noon to 9 p.m. Monday (Aug. 29) and Tuesday (Aug. 30) at St. Lawrence Catholic Church, 5225 N Himes Ave. in Tampa. Recitation of the rosary is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Monday and Evening Prayer at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday.

A funeral mass will be celebrated at the church, beginning at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday (Aug. 31) with graveside services to follow at Garden of Memories Cemetery, 4207 E Lake Ave., Tampa. All will be open to the public.

As one of the best known and respected spiritual and civic leaders in the Tampa Bay area for decades, attendance at the funeral is expected to be significant. Seating will be available in the Church, the adjacent piazza, and in Higgins Hall. Parking on St. Lawrence grounds will be restricted to credentialed media, the handicapped, and those continuing on to the graveside ceremony. Parking for those attending the funeral only and overflow will be available at nearby Al Lopez Park, 4810 N Himes Ave., with shuttle service provided.

In recent months, Msgr. Higgins had made it known that, in lieu of flowers, he hoped that those interested would make contributions to one of the organizations so important to him, including St. Peter Claver School, Cristo Rey Tampa High School, Abe Brown Ministries, or the Gold Shield Foundation.

For more about Msgr. Higgins, go to monsignorlaurencehiggins.org.

Photos courtesy of St. Lawrence Catholic Church and monsignorlaurencehiggins.org.

Laurence Higgins | Funeral Mass | St. Lawrence Catholic Church | TB Reporter

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