Sean Aaron McConnell-Higgins

Sean McConnell-Higgins, 29, passed away unexpectedly at his home in Sagle on Monday, June 9th. The third of three children born to Gerald Higgins and Marvelee McConnell Higgins, while they were living in Laufeld, West Germany, Sean was adventurous from the start. At 3 weeks old he accompanied his Mom and Aunt to the Oktoberfest in Munich, Bavaria and enjoyed the festive music. At two years old, in a backpack, on the back of his teenage cousin, he made his first six-mile long back-country fishing trip into Yosemite’s Turner Meadows. A few years later he hiked himself in, with backpack, at age 6. He discovered he was good at fishing: with a ten-foot meadow pole and tiny red worms or spin casting in Cocolalla Creek or the local lakes. He loved California meadow cutthroats, and thoroughly enjoyed casting for goldens in the Wyoming Wind River Range. He was good at preparing whatever he caught, and often shared his catch with his grandfather or friends. Sean also loved getting in the ocean, taking up the family tradition of abalone diving on the northern California Pacific coast. His latest trip, in May, was another successful adventure with Sean getting his limit daily, and blessing those in camp with his culinary skills. At eleven, Sean flew in a B-17 over the Colorado foothills along with his grandfather, a World War II Air Corps veteran, and later took private pilot flying lessons to try his hand at aviation. Sean was known for his hugs. He always gave everyone a hug when he was leaving the gatherings that were common for the family. Distant relatives even remember him for his hugs, when we would part their company. He knew a hug could mend or melt hearts, he had plenty of them to share. He took courses in horticulture, floral design, airplane construction and mechanics. He was artistic and skillful in his drawings, carbon fiber airplane models and floral arrangements. He was inventive and always had creative ways of solving problems and new ways of accomplishing simple tasks and repairs. Sean loved bicycles, motor bikes, frisbee golfing, snowboarding, and arguing…in the Socratic sense, of course! He worked on Schweitzer Mountain for several seasons and he loved the benefit of having a lift pass he used during work breaks and off-days. He truly enjoyed the friendships and camaraderie he found there. Sean worked as a veterinary assistant for 10 years, most recently at Fry Creek Animal Clinic. If you didn’t know him well, you wouldn’t know that Sean was very good with animals. He could read a dog or cat’s demeanor and know just the right handling technique in the veterinary clinic exam and treatment rooms. He was the person you wanted in the room with you when handling anxious or unruly pets. Not only that, but his attention to detail and reading the doctor, made him a valued assistant in surgery, especially orthopedics, or other surgeries where the doctor needed more hands. Sean loved camping and hiking and was looking forward to a trip later in June with some good friends. He loved the North Idaho woods, and our erratic weather was never an issue. Spring was for fishing; summer was for camping and fishing; autumn was for apple picking, cider pressing and more camping and fishing; and winter was for snowboarding. Sean is buried on the peaceful hillside next to his beloved Oma and Papa in Sagle, Idaho. His memorial was attended by many who loved him and will miss him. Sean is survived by his parents; sister, Shannon and brother-in-law Forrest; brother, Brian; nephews, Judah, Asher, and Malachi; niece, Cora; and many loving family and friends.