Bishop Maurice Uriah Earl Huggins, 48 of Windsor, beloved husband to Pearl (Goodison) Huggins, entered eternal rest on Wednesday, November 23, 2011.
Son of Fennis Elijah Huggins and the late Gritley (Davis) Huggins was born in South East London, England on August 13, 1963 and migrated to the United States in 1968 at the age of 5. He was a member of the Blue Hills New Testament Church of God (339 Blue Hills Ave.) and the Stamford Church of God in his youth. Maurice graduated from Platt High School in 1981 where he was an outstanding basketball player. He joined the United States Army after graduation and served his country honorably until returning home in 1985. In 1986 he married the love of his life Pearl Goodison and between 1988 and 1991 their union was blessed with 3 beautiful children Maurice Jr., Brittany, and JeVaughn.
Maurice was a self-taught musician who played the piano and organ. He committed his natural and brilliant musical talents to the church and the greater Hartford community.While working passionately to support his family and serving the Blue Hills New Testament COG church family he completed the church of God Ministerial Internship Program. In March 2004 Maurice was ordained as a Bishop in the Church of God. As an Ordained Bishop in the Church of God he was a Pastor, Preacher, Teacher, and a friend. Maurice was used of the Lord to minister throughout the Southern New England Region, the United States and the Caribbean. Maurice worked at the University of Hartford in the mail department for 23 years. He furthered his education by receiving degrees from both the Hartford Seminary and Christian Leadership University he also was enrolled at the University of Hartford at the time of his passing. His commitment to serve led him to mentor and empower the young men of Rehoboth Church of God where he was an active member, minister, and organist. While working, preaching, and giving 100% to all who asked for his help;
Maurice courageously and quietly battled heart disease for the past 10 years but never hesitated to believe God for his healing.Maurice is loved and mourned by all who knew him and will forever be missed. He was preceded in death by his beloved mother Reverend Gritley(Davis)Huggins.
Those left to treasure his memory include his father, Fennis Huggins of Port Charlotte, FL; his wife of 25 years, Pearl Huggins, two sons Maurice F. Huggins, Jr. and JeVaughn Huggins both of Windsor, and a daughter Brittany Huggins of Windsor; four sisters, Jasmine Henry and her husband Delroy of London, England, Angela Huggins of Hartford, Jacqueline Huggins of Atlanta, GA, and Serena Huggins of Port Charlotte, FL; 18 nieces and nephews, one grandniece a host of aunts, uncles, cousins, extended family, his loving in-laws Joan Goodison (sister-in-law) and the entire Goodison Family and dear friends.
A funeral service to celebrate Maurice’s life will be held on Saturday, December 3, 2011 at 9 a.m. at Rehoboth Church of God, 1170 Blue Hills Avenue in Bloomfield. Burial with military honors will follow at Mountain View Cemetery in Bloomfield. His family will receive friends at the church on Friday evening from 6-9 p.m. and on Saturday from 8-8:45 a.m. prior to the service. Please share your memories with Maurice's family by visiting www.bishophuggins.weebly.com.
In lieu of flowers, his family encourages you to consider making donations to the Maurice Huggins Music Scholarship Fund. More information will be available soon.
