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 Rev. Francis Grogan
September 11, 2001
The Rev. Francis E. Grogan, a priest of the Congregation of Holy Cross for nearly 50 years, was killed Tuesday when the plane he was on, United Airlines Flight 175 from Boston to Los Angeles, crashed into the World Trade Center in New York City. He was 76. Grogan was traveling to visit his sister, Ann Marie Browne, in Ramona, Calif.
Born in Pittsfield on May 13, 1925, son of Francis and Loretta Fogarty Grogan, he attended Pittsfield schools and was a 1943 graduate of St. Joseph's Central High School. He earned degrees at the University of Notre Dame and at Fordham University.
He served in the Navy during World War II.
After his ordination in 1955, he served as director of admissions and registrar of Stonehill College in Easton from 1955 to 1961, followed by a year with the Rev. Peyton Family Rosary Crusades and three years with Family Theatre in Madrid, Spain, where he helped to produce Christian films.
He served as chaplain and as a teacher at Holy Cross High School in Waterbury, Conn., from 1965 to 1976; assistant pastor of Sacred Heart Parish in Bennington, Vt., from 1976 to 1988; assistant pastor of San Jose Parish in Austin, Texas, from 1988 to 1990; and as assistant pastor of Holy Cross Church in Easton from 1990 to 1997.
After more than 30 years of high school teaching and family ministry, he was named superior of the Holy Cross residence in North Dartmouth in 1998. He was to begin as chaplain of a retirement home for Holy Cross Brothers in New York upon his return from California.
In the 1960 Stonehill College yearbook, which was dedicated to him, reference is made to his smile, his friendliness, and his patience, and he is called a model and a guide.
The Rev. Grogan is survived by his sister, Ann Marie Browne; a brother-in-law, Jim; and nephews, Matthew and Michael of Ramona, Calif., as well as many cousins from Pittsfield and the surrounding area, and his brothers and members of the Holy Cross Community. The Rev. Grogan was noted for his kindness and personal interest in each assignment that he served.
A memorial service for the Rev. Francis E. Grogan will be celebrated at his former Holy Cross Parish in South Easton on Wednesday, Sept. 19. Arrangements are by Robert J. Kane Funeral Home, 605 Washington St., Easton.
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