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.
Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Maher’s Funeral Home in Placentia. Visitation will take place at the funeral home on Wednesday, May 4th and Thursday, May 5th from 2pm to 4pm and 7pm to 9pm. A celebration of Mr. Hogan’s life has been scheduled for 11:00am on Friday, May 6th at Sacred Heart Church, Placentia.
Flowers are gratefully accepted or donations may be made in his name to the Placentia Historical Society.