Deacon L. Gogan

Harry Leo Gogan, age 91, a resident of Albuquerque since 1951, was born April 6, 1922 in Buffalo, New York, and went to be with the Lord on April 26, 2013. He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Joan Lorraine Gogan; children, Mary Jo Davee and husband, John of Tucson, AZ, Eileen Martinez and husband Marty, Susan Folkner and husband Mark, and Pamela Harada and husband, Michael, of Houston, Texas; grandchildren, Joel Davee, Erin Folkner, Michael Davee and wife Barbara, Jacqueline Vigliano and husband David, Nathan Martinez, Jessica Folkner, Sarah Martinez and Emily Martinez. Harry was eagerly anticipating the births of his first two great grandchildren later this year. He is also survived by his sister, Mary Ann Wagner and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Harold and Anna Gogan, sister Gertrude Razmus, and son, Joseph Stephen Gogan. Upon graduation from Burgard Technical High School in Buffalo, Harry studied engineering at the University of Alabama, where he enlisted in the Army Air Corps in 1942. He was assigned to the 57th Fighter Group, 66th Fighter Squadron, 12th Air Forces, and stationed in Corsica, Italy, flying P-40 Warhawks and P-47 Thunderbolts. On December 20, 1944, he suffered severe injuries when his plane was shot down in the Brenner Pass, and he spent the next five months in a German POW camp. He was awarded the Purple Heart and Air Medal. After the war, he returned to complete his BS in Engineering at the University Alabama. He met Joan while working as a life guard at Sherkston, Ontario, Canada in July 1947, and they were married on December 27 of that year. Both families said the marriage would never last! After working for NASA in Virginia, he was hired at the Air Force Special Weapons Center at Kirtland Air Force Base in Albuquerque, where he rose to the rank of GS-16. In 1963-64, Harry attended the Harvard School of Government, where he earned a Master's Degree in Public Administration. Harry and Joan were founding members of Our Lady of Annunciation Catholic Church. He was President of Catholic Charities of New Mexico for ten years, involved in St. Vincent de Paul Society, and a member of the Knights of Columbus. After a long and satisfying career which included DOD projects and design of the Space Shuttle propulsion systems. Harry "retired" and began his second career as a Deacon of the Catholic Church in 1987, serving the parishioners at Our Lady of the Annunciation for almost 26 years. A wonderful, caring man, Harry loved his family, flying, golf, camping, fishing, and bowling, and was an excellent dancer. Most of all, he was devoted to his faith. He was a lifelong supporter of Crimson Tide football, UNM Lobo basketball and Harvard. The Rosary will be recited Monday, April 29, at 7:00 pm at Our Lady of the Annunciation Catholic Church, 2610 Utah St. NE. The Funeral Mass will be celebrated Tuesday, April 30, at 10:30 am at Annunciation Catholic Church. Interment will take place at Santa Fe National Cemetery on Wednesday, May 1. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Vincent de Paul Society, 4120 Menaul Blvd. NE 87110; or Catholic Charities of Central New Mexico, 3301 Candelaria Rd. NE 87107. For viewing times contact French Funerals.