Hogan, William (Bill) Patrick – of
Dunville, Placentia Bay, NL passed away peacefully at
the age of 84 at Tiffany Village, St. John’s NL on January
12, 2022. Predeceased by his loving wife of 58 years in 2015, Mary
(Hawco) and parents Constabulary Sgt William and Mary Hogan of St.
Mary’s, sister Patricia and brother-in-law John McCormack of
Torbay, and father and mother-in-law John and Maria Hawco of Chapels
Cove. He is survived by 5 children – Pamela (Dave)
Constantine, Colleen Hogan, Lynn (Bill) Hogan Gillespie, Tim
(Elizabeth) Hogan, and Diana (Albert) Gibbons; 9 grandchildren
– Evan (Brittany), Robyn, and Jordan (Karen) Constantine,
Ethan Hogan, Ryan (Brittany) and Christopher (Lauren) Haughn, Kaley
(Andrew) and Tyler (Melissa) Hogan, Michael (Stephanie), Stephanie
(Adam) and Lee Gibbons; as well as 10 great grandchildren –
William, Luke, Paige, Hudson, Briagh, Sullivan, Navie, Jemma,
Madeline, Winnie and Isla. He is also survived by his brother Jack
(Elizabeth) and sister Mona (Gary) Hogan, sisters-in-law Pat (Jim)
Neary and Sharon (Dave) Stamp and many nieces and nephews from
Newfoundland to British Columbia.
Bill has long been recognized for his dedication to the
province and people of Newfoundland and Labrador which was evident
through a political career that spanned almost 40-years. He was often
described as candid, quick to debate, never afraid to take a stand and
express his opinion, all in support of and on behalf of the people he
served. Anyone who crossed paths with him would say that his love for
politics was based on giving back and contributing to the community.
His tenure in politics began at the municipal level where he served as
Mayor of the Town of Dunville and subsequently of the amalgamated
municipality of Placentia. He served as President of the Newfoundland
and Labrador Federation of Municipalities and he was actively involved
with the Canadian Federation of Municipalities. He turned to
provincial politics in the 1990s with a term spent at the provincial
level as MHA and was appointed to the roles of Minister of Municipal
Affairs and Minister of Social Services in the government of former
premier Clyde Wells. He was a long-standing member of the provincial
Liberal Association and actively involved federally. He has been
recognized and honored on many occasions at the Federal and Provincial
levels for his dedication and servitude by being awarded the Senate
150th Medal, the Queen’s Diamond
Jubilee Medal, and three Governor General Medals for his contributions
to community, province and country.
His commitment to the community didn’t stop with
politics. He had a deep passion for sports. Baseball and hockey
seasons would see him cheering for his LA Dodgers (while telling
stories of the Brooklyn Dodgers) and the Montreal Canadiens. His
coaching career began in Labrador City where he coached the Ashuanipi
Braves Senior Men’s Hockey team. He grew up as a first
baseman playing baseball for St. Pats however when he moved to
Dunville in the 1960s he quickly became involved in softball. He
coached junior and senior teams for almost 3 decades leading teams
from Placentia to provincial championships and to the national stage;
one special memory that stayed with him was the winning of the 1975
National Junior Men’s Softball Championship in Saskatoon
where the Placentia Allstars captured the National Junior Fastpitch
title highlighted by the first triple play in a National Junior
Competition. This was capped off with Bill being named National
Allstar Coach and several players named to the all-star team. He was
subsequently inducted into the Newfoundland and Labrador Softball Hall
of Fame. Through it all what meant the most for him were the lifelong
friendships he developed with coaches, players, athletes, volunteers
and family members.
Bill’s professional career began with the Royal
Newfoundland Constabulary, following in his father’s
footsteps. He moved into the private sector in the 1960s pursuing a
career in safety with IOC in Labrador. Eventually he returned to the
island, moving to Dunville working in a safety role with ERCO in Long
Harbour. It didn’t take him long to figure out he wanted to
be his own boss and start his own safety company. He served as CEO of
Atlantic Safety Centre, dedicating 60 years to OH&S in the
province, retiring at age 80 in 2018. His knowledge and expertise in
the field of safety and industrial security were well known and
respected across Newfoundland and Labrador as well as
Canada.
While Bill stepped away from municipal politics in his mid
70’s, in recent years he was still frequently sought out for
his knowledge, expertise and advice. He was also well known for his
genealogical pursuits and appreciation of the history of his home
province. His door was always open to friends, family, colleagues,
visitors young and old. He always had a good story to tell –
whether it be political or simply about “who their people
were” and where they came from. Some but not many were often
surprised by how much he could tell them about their heritage, roots
and beyond.
Throughout his life he touched many and was equally blessed
to have numerous long-standing cherished friendships. While there are
so many individuals who could be recognized from the staff at the town
hall in Placentia to ASC and more, the family would like to
specifically acknowledge James Burke from St. Mary’s, Mona,
Frank and Judy, Jerome and Ann Marie, and Debbie and Mike for their
friendship and caring of our father throughout his life and especially
in his later years.
One of our father’s favorite quotes and a creed he
lived by came from the great Vince Lombardi “The
credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena….
who strives to do the deed, who knows great enthusiasms, the great
devotions, who spends himself in a worthy cause, who at the best knows
in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if
he fails, at least fails while daring
greatly”.
His no nonsense approach to life, work and family will be
missed by all who knew and loved him.
A celebration of “Mr. Hogan’s
life” will be scheduled for early May pending provincial
regulations. His arrangements have been entrusted to Maher’s
Funeral Home in Placentia; details will be posted on their site as
they are confirmed.
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of William Bill Patrick Hogan 1937 2022..
Death notice for the town of: Placentia, Province: T-N