West Islip, New York
A Sneaky Sense of Humor
He did not particularly like Christmas. Too commercial. Hated his birthday. Too much attention. He watched the History Channel. He knew instinctively how to trim back a plant, and his first crop of grapes was so bountiful that he and his wife, Melissa, thought that next year they would try to make wine. He took his children backpacking in the Adirondacks. His family lived in the same house in West Islip, N.Y., in which he had grown up.
But that accumulation of low-key details does not translate into Matt Rogan, quiet, retiring guy. A firefighter like his father and brother before him, Mr. Rogan, 37, had a sneaky sense of humor. Once, after he had minor surgery on his chest, he told his nieces and nephews that he had had a third nipple removed. When he ate dates covered in nuts, he claimed that they came from the cat's litter box.
With the children no longer babies, the couple were planning a more luxurious future. When he retired, he dreamed, they would ride motorcycles across the country. "He wasn't sentimental; I was the sentimental one," said Mrs. Rogan. "He always said if he won the Lotto, he would sell the house in a second and move upstate."
9/11/2024 - I had the honor or wearing the photo of Matthew S. Rogan during the 1st annual Memorial Stair Climb at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City. It was tough but I just had to look down at the photo and REMEMBER. I climbed 2,200 stairs, the equivalent of 110 flights of stairs with my weighted vest. I carried Matthew S. Rogan photo around my neck and his bravery in my heart! NEVER FORGET!
Fawn A
September 12, 2024
From the PNW Oregon
I promised Gerry Rogan I would never forget
Matthew or any one of the many that lost their lives. You will forever be in my heart.
God Bless you one and all
Linda McDougle
September 11, 2024 | Warren, OR | Friend
Thinking of you and your family at this time as always - love from the Rogan family of Co Clare Ireland and Manchester England
Frances Rogan
September 13, 2023
Rest in Peace, Matt.
Jon S.
September 13, 2023 | Monmouth, ME
Matt- It now has been 22 Yrs since your brother gave me your dog tags when he was visiting Burlington, VT when I living there in 2001 - I am now in Ashburn, Va. I met him at Finnigans and while talking to him, he decided to give me your dog tags asking me to keep the memory of you alive, which I have done so after 22 yrs. Every time I think of you, I sense your presence- Your family must miss you a great deal and I know the pain of their loss of losing you never goes away not even after...
Sean Landry
September 11, 2023 | Other
Matthew-
After 20 years, I still have not forgotten what you have done for your fellow man on 9/11/01- it seems like yesterday that this day has came about. I also still have the dog tags that your brother gave me at the Finnigans Pub in Burlington, Vermont. I’ve been telling my 15 yr old daughter how I got the dog tags with your name and date of birth on it. She tells me that they learn about 9-11 in school and that pleases me that 9-11 won’t be forgotten.
Again...
Sean Landry
September 12, 2021 | Ashburn, VA | Spouse
On this 20th anniversary love and best wishes as ever from the Rogan families of Co Clare and Manchester
Frances Rogan
September 11, 2021 | Newmarket On Fergus
RIP, Matt.
Jon S.
September 11, 2021
After 19 years, I still possess the dog tags that Matthew’s brother gave me at Finnegan Pub in Burlington, Vt and have them on my desk in his memory. Will never forget him as long as I live. I was only a few months older than he was. I hope his family reads this knowing that his memory continues to flourish nearly 20 yrs on. RIP brother, you did well in your endeavor to save many lives around you on that fateful day. Thank you for both of you and your fellow colleagues’ efforts.
Sean Landry
September 12, 2020 | Ashburn, VA