If old friend Leon Denton were alive, and how I wish he were, if I told him Monsignor Laurence Higgins had an 80th birthday this week, he would have said: “Ain’t it a blessing?”

And those who know Monsignor Higgins of Tampa and the St. Lawrence Tampa would boomed a you-bet in acclamation, as some close friends did at a small surprise birthday lunch which industrialist and great Higgins admirer Joe Capitano, and his family, arranged on Wednesday in Capitano’s Ybor City.

“Don’t deserve it. Don’t. Don’t,” Father Higgins repeated at its end. But, his eyes Irish eyes were smiling. Not in his 80 years has this wise, kind and experienced man lost a twinkle that seems to be so characteristic of the Irish. They surely have learned to smile through the worst of times, as did Higgins, through his troubled childhood in County Derry, his expulsions from two schools before sticking with the dreams of a hopeful and loyal parents, settling down in the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons before leaving for the All Hallows Seminary in Dublin, and in time, the priesthood.

Oh, yes, he played sports, hard and tough, starred, set a record or two for red cards earned or game expulsions. But, he was brainy, devoted to his religion and his personal development. He wanted to be fair and he wanted to be tough, and he is, even now.

Moreover, at 80, he looks 60 - or is it 50?

“It is 55,” said former Tampa Mayor Dick Greco, at the lunch Wednesday.

Younger, even, said tireless aide Polly Murray, who works beside him every day. “Never quits. Never. Never says no.”

Monsignor Higgins formerly retired as the leader/priest at St. Lawrence. But he is besieged by requests from former parishioners regularly for weddings, baptisms, special sermons, last rites, invocations, etc.

Did I mention that in every drive/campaign begun here since his arrival from Miami to begin St. Lawrence with four in attendance at a restaurant there he has been involved in the planning, the plotting, the politicking, the pushing, the election campaigns and everything else that produced old Tampa Stadium? Reworked the place, as well as the Rowdies, the Buccaneers, the Bandits, the Tampa Arena, the Super Bowls here, the Outback Bowl, the South Florida and University of Tampa sports programs… and more, plus some that did not make it.

On a personal note, he has been a sounding board for all of us who have sought to advance this great place in which we live, as well as a wise and experienced counsel to those of us who sought it here or elsewhere. Those of time spent here remember a deal for Tampa Bay, won with the good fight, but lost as it should have been. We should never forget this.

A Tampa/St. Pete/Wauchula-area committee good citizen Cecil Edge headed and on which his daughter Shannon and late Miami Dolphin owner Joe Robbie were such factors (I went along) convinced the world soccer people to bring the World Cup to Florida. Idea was old Tampa Stadium, the Rowdies, and Miami would be the key areas utilized.

When the international committee voted later, we herebouts (including the most cooperative Rowdie owners, Cornelia and Dick Corbetts), Tampa was kissed off but Orlando was included. The official reason given: The old Tampa Stadium walls were too close to the field. PHOOEY! Disney made the decision to get involved, and the World Cup went to Orlando. That was it, though never admitted.

“I remember. We did everything we could do,” said Father Higgins.

“But, must we talk about that on my 80th?”

No, no, sorry. You are looking great, Monsignor, not 80. Your color is good, weight is right, hair no thinner, nor grayer.

Ain’t it a blessing, Leon Denton would say.