Obituary: Kermit Michael Higgins

Kermit Michael Higgins

NEW GLOUCESTER – Kermit Michael Higgins, 72, of New Gloucester, died Aug. 19, 2026, at home, surrounded by his wife of 42 years, Jeanne Higgins, and his children, Brent, Michael and Brittany.

Born July 1, 1954, in Auburn to mother Doris Manchester Higgins and father Lawrence Clayton Higgins, Kermit was a proud lifelong Gray and New Gloucester resident.

Kermit owned Higgins Auto Repair in Gray for 36 years. He learned about automotive repair from his father and his neighbor, Horace Grant, and it became a passion. He passed along those skills to his son, Brent, who continues on the family tradition of working in automotive. He enjoyed working on cars, trucks, ATVs, snowmobiles — anything that had an engine. He loved hot rods and fast cars, often saying “there’s no replacement for displacement.”

He spent countless hours riding around on snowmobiles with Michael and Brittany, he loved to fish and hunt, and spent many years taking the family swimming in Coos Canyon in Byron and camping in Poland Spring as seasonals.

He loved spending time with friends and family around the fire, having a beer and making memories. Eating hotdogs at Lonnie’s was a favorite pastime — in fact, there’s a dog named after him there, “The Kerm.”

Friends will best remember him for being a loyal and giving man, generous, fun-loving, and would help out anyone who needed it. “I never heard anyone say a bad word about him,” his wife, Jeanne said.

In his later years, he enjoyed spending time at the garage and with his grandchildren. His dogs were important to him, especially Baron, Brandi, Koty, Tut and Sky.

Friends know he was a kind and passionate person. He always saw the good in everyone. He treasured his customers and friends, who meant a lot to him. The family would like to thank Kermit’s many customers over the years who were loyal to him and his business. He never cared about the money, he just wanted to help people and make sure they had good, safe and reliable vehicles.

He cherished his close friends, who all helped to make his life full.

He is survived by his wife, Jeanne Louise Eldridge Higgins; son Brent R. Cogswell (Catherine), son Michael L. Higgins (Ali), and daughter Brittany J. Bartlett (Trevor); grandchildren Angie, Brad, Jameson, Brandon, Noah and Cameron; and sister Debbie Michaud.

Thanks to Andwell hospice and Wilson Funeral Home for taking care of Kermit in the end.

His children will remember their dad for his humor, making sure they were raised as strong and independent, teaching them life skills. His grandchildren were the light of his life and cherished every moment with them.

He wasn’t a fancy guy. Jeans and a black t-shirt were his uniform of choice. He didn’t want much and didn’t ask for much and lived a simple life, but wanted to make sure his wife and children had what they needed.

In that vein, he asked that services not be held for him. Instead, the family asks that anyone who wants to honor him make a donation in his memory to a local animal shelter.

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