The Tampa Bay community said its final farewell to Monsignor Laurence Higgins at his funeral mass Wednesday at St. Lawrence Catholic Church.

  • Higgins, 85, died last week
  • Former Gov. Bob Martinez, Former Bucs coach Tony Dungy in attendance
  • Funeral mass led by St. Pete Bishop Robert Lynch

Higgins passed away last week at the age of 85.

It was a rainy day, but that didn’t stop friends and family from coming to say goodbye to the man who helped shaped Tampa.

“I think my fondest memory of the Monsignor is how he would talk to you with such a twinkle in his eye,” former Tampa Mayor Pam Iorio said. “He was someone who brightened your day, even in the darkest times.”

“He was just not only a spiritual leader, but a regular guy and a regular sports fan and he really connected with some of the players when they needed someone to talk to, some guidance on issues,” Tampa Bay Buccaneers owner Bryan Glazer said.

Bishop Robert Lynch of the St. Petersburg Diocese led the funeral mass.

Higgins’ nephew, Martin Gourley, said one of the eulogies.

"I am amazed at how many lives he touched so deeply and the impact he had on the city of Tampa as a whole,” Gourley said.

Former Florida Governor Bob Martinez spoke about the how the man he called "Padre" impacted his political career and former Buccaneer coach Tony Dungy brought the football-loving priest to life.

"He was more than just a priest, he was a fan,” Dungy said. “Halfway through my first year we hadn’t won a game yet and he came over and did a mass before the game and said, ‘Coach, we need to be winning a game here soon.’”

Higgins was laid to rest at Garden of Memories Cemetery.