Alfred W. Higgins, of Cobleskill, a highway worker who liked creating things with his hands, died on Wednesday, Dec. 27, 2017, at the Good Samaritan Nursing Home in Delmar. He was 86.

He was born at home in New Salem on June 5, 1931, a son of the late Harold and Bertha Oliver Higgins.

Mr. Higgins attended New Salem schools and grew up on his family’s farm in New Salem with his aunt and uncle, Mildred and Harry Oliver.

He retired due to disability from the New York State Highway Department in Albany County as foreman of the sign crew.

“Alfred enjoyed a simple life, working with his hands at woodworking and string art,” his family wrote in a tribute. “Alfred also enjoyed jigsaw puzzles and spending time with his wife Eleanor’s family, children, grandchildren, and his best friend, Earl MacMillen, and his wife, Bev, of New Salem.”

Mr. Higgins is survived by his wife, Eleanor Schrader Higgins; three stepchildren Jeffrey Brown and his wife, Dena, Jerry Brown and his wife, Melissa, and Jeanne Brown and Kevin; 11 step-grandchildren; and eight step-great-grandchildren.

His parents died before him as did a step-great-grandson, Haustin Brown Jr., and a half-sister, Sandra Sikora.

Funeral services were conducted at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 30, at the Mereness-Putnam Funeral Home at 171 Elm Street in Cobleskill. Condolences to the family may be made online at www.merenessputnamfuneralhome.com.

Spring interment will be in Cobleskill Rural Cemetery.