John J. Rogan of Middlefield, Connecticut, U.S., age 88, passed away peacefully at home on Monday, 24 July, after a courageous battle with Parkinson’s disease.

Born in Cambridge, Massachusetts, on 8 December 1928 to the late John T. and Agnes White Rogan, John married his Irish Rose, Mary V. Kavanaugh, in 1952. They met when playing the roles of Peggy O’Neil and Shauny O’Shay in the play The Rose of Trallee. They were both teenagers and he was in the St. Mary’s Church Choir in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Jack graduated from Boston College preparatory high school and went on to earn a Bachelors degree in History and Economics from Boston College in 1951. He then served his country in the United States Army as an officer in Germany in the early days of the Cold War. Following his years in the service, he enjoyed a 29-year career with Commerce Clearinghouse (CCH) of Chicago before retiring.

A devoted Red Sox fan, he enjoyed a rich social life, which included entertaining the elderly throughout Connecticut health care centers. He toted his keyboard and brought music, banter and Irish jokes to everyone he encountered. An avid reader and lover of poetry, he found joy in language and conversation. He was active with the Y’s Men of Meriden and valued those many friendships and connections, which lasted a lifetime. He advocated for those in society who had the least among us. He taught his children, nieces, nephews, grandchildren and great-grandchildren well.

In addition to his wife, Jack is survived by his six children Margaret Lehlbach (Herman) of Salem, Connecticut; Kathleen Morrissey (Paul Medeiros) of Dover, New Hampshire; Christine Duval (Gerard) of Manchester, New Hampshire; Elizabeth (Liz) Rogan (William Kooper) of Washington, DC; Veronica Rogan of Santa Monica, California; William Rogan of Orange, Massachusetts, and Elizabeth (Beth) Rogan of Tappen, NY, as well as his nieces Helen Runyan (Richard), Julie Kelley (William) and Jean Hentz (Steve) and nephew Thomas Rogan (Anne) and his beloved grandchildren Daniel Lehlbach (Tamara Cintron) of Windham, Connecticut; Gerard Duval III (Chantal and daughters Juliet and Clara) of Manchester, New Hampshire; Marc Duval of Manchester, New Hampshire; Patrick Duval of Austin, Texas; Laura Duval (Kyle Andrews) of Hampton, Virginia; Owen Morrissey of Conifer, Colorado; Caitlyn Bell (George) of Davis, California and Hannah Rogan of Tappen, NY. His son, John T. Rogan and brother, Thomas Rogan, predeceased him.

His family is grateful for the care he received from Jack’s ever-present and devoted caregiver, Mavis Aboagye of My Care Companions and his physician, Dr. Emmanuel Kenta-Bibi.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Jack’s name to The Salvation Army, 23 Saint Casimir Dr. Meriden, CT 06450.

A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated on Saturday, 12 August 2017, at 11:00AM at St. Rose of Lima Parish at 35 Center St, Meriden, CT, followed by burial in Sacred Heart Cemetery. There will be no calling hours. Reception to follow. Arrangements are under the direction of the John J. Ferry & Sons Funeral Home, 88 East Main Street, Meriden, CT 06450.

Provide comfort for the family by planting a tree in memory of John J. "Jack" Rogan, please visit our Heartfelt Sympathies Store.