Obituary of Clarence A. Higbee

Clarence A. "Bunky" Higbee, Jr., 74, prominent Fortescue resident and businessman, died in the South Jersey Regional Medical Center on Saturday, Dec. 3, 2011. He had been in failing health for the past 12 years, after suffering a stroke. The husband of Betty Rauschert Higbee for the past 53 years, he was born in Bridgeton and had lived for 74 years on the same piece of ground in Fortescue. He was the son of the late Clarence Addison Higbee and Mildred Cossaboon Higbee. He had owned and operated Higbee's Marina, Bait Shop, Luncheonette and the Miss Fortescue Party Boat for the past 45 years. He was a graduate of Bridgeton High School, Class of 1955. Bunky was an avid race car driver, winning championships at every local race track. He was inducted into the All Sports Museum of Southern New Jersey's Hall of Fame for his racing. He was a lifetime member of the Fortescue Fire Co. - Downe Township Fire Co. for 57 years and was Fire Chief for 13 of those years. He was a former President of the Fortescue Captain's and Boat Owners Association and was a former member of the Downe Township Board of Education. He was a lifetime member of the N. R. A. Besides his wife: survivors include: a daughter, Cynthia M. Fuller and here husband, William; son Clarence A. Higbee, III, son Clifford A. Higbee, Sr. and his wife Marion and a son, Charles M. Higbee and his wife Mitzi; six grandchildren, Clifford A. Higbee, Jr., Robin Higbee, Michelle Sheppard, Gabrielle Higbee, Tia Higbee and Tori Higbee; one great grandson, Landon Sheppard; one brother, Harry Higbee and a sister, Marilee J. Byran. Funeral services will be held in the PADGETT FUNERAL HOME, 1107 State Highway 77, Upper Deerfield Township, on Wednesday morning, Dec. 7, at 11:00 O'clock. Burial will be in Cedar Hill Cemetery, Cedarville. A viewing will be held at the funeral home on Tuesday evening after 7:00 O'clock. In Lieu of flowers the family suggests contributions to either the Downe Township Fire Co., P. O. Box 48, Fortescue, N. J. 08321 or the All Sports Museum of Southern New Jersey Hall of Fame, 181 East Commerce St., Bridgeton, N. J. Written condolences and tributes may be made to the family through the funeral home website at www.padgettfuneralhomes.com