Dr. Jack Anthony "Tony" Huggins, 82, was with his family when he passed away peacefully at Emory Bennett Veterans Nursing Home on October 3, 2021.
He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Rosalind, New Smyrna Beach, FL. They have two daughters Paige (David) Mahnken in Winter Springs, FL and Erin (Scott) Stearns, Orlando, FL. Tony and his beloved wife Rosalind married on October 5, 1968. They have five precious grandchildren: Kendall and Courtney Stearns and Lauren, Lainey and Jace Mahnken. Tony is also survived by his siblings Dr. Ron (Cheryl) Huggins, Linda (Leland) Johnston and Gary (Sharon) Huggins. He was preceded in death by his parents Leo Jack and Louise Huggins and his brother David Huggins.
Tony was born in Bladen County, North Carolina near Elizabethtown. He served in the U.S. Army with "boots on the ground" during Vietnam as a Helicopter Crew Chief 1962-1964. Subsequent to his military service, he entered Florida State University earning three degrees including his PhD in Economics. His dissertation "An Annual Econometrical Forecasting Model of the State of Florida" published in 1976. He taught and mentored many throughout his life. Tony later worked in several state agencies including the administrations of two former Florida governors. In 1984, he moved to Orlando, where he founded an international asset management company and three insurance companies. He retired to New Smyrna Beach.
Tony loved the outdoors as an avid hunter, fisherman and world traveler. He enjoyed freshwater/saltwater fishing, played guitar especially the blues genre. He was a lifelong Florida State Seminoles football fan. Tony was a Gold Legacy Life member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and a member of the New Smyrna Beach VFW Post #4250.
A Celebration of Life service will be held Saturday, October 23, 2021, 11:00 am ET at DeGusipe Funeral Home located at 9001 N. Orlando Avenue, Maitland, FL 32751. Dr. Reverend Ron Huggins will officiate. There will be a reception for friends and family immediately following the service.
Inurnment will be on Monday, October 25, 2021 at 11:00am ET, at Cape Canaveral National Cemetery, in Mims, FL. 5525 US Highway 1, Mims, FL 32754.
For those wishing to attend the October 23rd Celebration of Life virtually, please follow this link at the time of service, or you may view the video after the service here:
https://www.facebook.com/DeGusipeFH/