Patrick J. Mogan

Patrick J. Mogan
Was Superintendent -- Lowell Public Schools; recognized as "The Father of the
Lowell National Historic Park"; WWll Vet; 94

CHELMSFORD -- Patrick J. Mogan, 94, former Superintendent of the Lowell Public Schools and recognized as "The Father of the Lowell National Historic Park," died Friday, December 14th, 2012, with his family at his side in his home in Chelmsford. He was the widower of the late Mary (Pollard) Mogan with whom he shared 63 years of marriage.

A son of the late Thomas and the late Annie (Keady) Mogan, he was born in Norwood on March 24, 1918. He graduated Norwood High School in 1936 and Boston College as a commuting student with the Class of 1940. A World War II Veteran, he served in both European and South Pacific Theaters from 1942 through 1946.

He began his career in education as a vocational education teacher in the Holyoke Public Schools. He also taught in the Billerica Public Schools before coming to Lowell as a teacher at the Morey School. He was the Principal of the Hugh J. Molloy School and the first principal of the Peter W. Reilly School. He served as Assistant Superintendent of the Lowell Public Schools before being appointed Superintendent in 1977, the position from which he retired in 1982 after 31 years of service to the Lowell Schools.

He held a Master's Degree in Education and a Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study in Elementary School Administration from Boston University. He earned his Doctorate in Education from the University of Mass. Amherst in 1975. In May 1979, he was awarded two honorary doctorates on subsequent days, a Doctor of Humane Letters from the University of Lowell and A Doctor of Laws from Amherst College.

Growing out of his work with the Lowell Model Cities Program and the Human Services Corporation, he conceptualized Lowell as the United States' first urban national park. His vision was realized with the creation of the Lowell National Historical Park in 1978. Although credited with being "The Father of the National Park," he typically deferred credit for the achievement to the many Lowell citizens who played roles both large and small in its development, especially those who shared their ethnic cultures in its initial phases.

For 75 years, "Pat" was a devoted and avid Boston College football fan. Among the many honors he gratefully received, he especially cherished his 1990 Boston College Alumni Association Award for Public Service and his designation as a "Golden Eagle."
He is survived by many nieces and nephews including James Pollard, Jr. and his wife, Maureen, Martha Gallant and her husband, Mark, Joseph Pollard and his wife, Beth, Mary Ellen Fitzpatrick and her husband, Joseph, Anne Pollard Murphy and her husband, Robert, Samuel Pollard, Anne Marie Splaine, Dr. Edward Splaine and his wife, Jackie, Louise Kavanagh, James Donohoe; Eileen, Maureen, Barbara, Annette and Patricia Mogan; Philip, Anne, Thomas, Patricia, Edward and Leo Kelley; Catherine, Thomas, Michael, Richard and Kevin Mogan.

He is also survived by several grandnieces and grandnephews, including Marianne Pollard of Lowell, his loving caregiver of the last two years.

MOGAN -- YOU ARE INVITED TO HIS CALLING HOURS 2 UNTIL 6 P.M. ON SUNDAY. ON MONDAY, HIS FUNERAL WILL BEGIN AT 8 A.M. AT THE MAHONEY FUNERAL HOME, 187 NESMITH STREET, LOWELL, 978-452-6361. HIS FUNERAL MASS WILL BE OFFERED AT IMMACULATE CONCEPTION CHURCH, 144 EAST MERRIMACK ST., LOWELL AT
9 A.M. BURIAL IN ST. MARY CEMETERY. MEMORIALS IN HIS NAME TO LOWELL ADULT EDUCATION PROGRAM, 408 MERRIMACK ST. LOWELL, MA 01854. E-CONDOLENCE - MAHONEYFUNERALHOME.COM