FISHKILL – William Joseph Brogan, 94, a resident of Fishkill since 1950, died on Saturday, October 3, 2015 at home. He previously lived in Millbrook, the Bronx, and Manhattan.

Born in Manhattan on January 15, 1921, he was the son of the late Patrick Joseph and Mary Anne (Horan) Brogan. Bill proudly served in the US Army during WW II and took part in the inception of the MASH program. He was the recipient of several medals for his service to our country. He retired from Metropolitan Life Insurance in Poughkeepsie where he worked as a Sales Representative for over 33 years. He had worked part-time for the Town of Fishkill Police Department and the Dutchess County Sheriff's Department, and later was a bus driver for WCSD. During his retirement, he enjoyed volunteering at Castle Point VAMC, which he did for 23 years and received a Presidential Award for his volunteer service.

Bill was devoted to the history of Ireland. He was a member of the Kevin Barry Irish Club, the NY Gaelic Society, and the Bronx Gaelic League. He was involved in Project Children, a group that sponsors summer Holiday for children from Northern Ireland. Bill was past Grand Marshall and served on the Dutchess County St. Patrick's Day Parade Committee Inc. since its inception over 20 years ago. He also served on the committee for Celtic Day at Mills Mansion. Bill worked closely with his wife, Ethel, with the organization she founded in 1981, Daltai Na Gaeilge (Students of the Irish Language), an organization dedicated to promoting and teaching Irish.

Bill was a self-proclaimed Project Manager during the renovations of the McHoul Funeral Home of Fishkill, Inc. Intrigued by the history and Irish heritage of the 1811 building, he visited daily to check on the progress of the construction, and provided his input to Doug. He was also member of the Senior Citizen Exercise Group in Fishkill. Bill was a devout member of St. Mary, Mother of the Church in Fishkill and former member of St. Joseph's Church in Millbrook.

On April 15, 1950 at Our Lady of Lourdes Church on W. 142 St. NYC, Bill married Ethel M. Mathews Brogan who predeceased him on October 5, 2011. He is survived by his son, Patrick Brogan of Oceanside, CA; his daughter, Brigid Nussbickel & her husband Wayne of Millbrook; his son, Brendan Brogan & his wife Heidi of Fishkill; his grandchildren, Stephanie Cunningham & her husband Brendan, Breanna Nussbickel, and Tara, Colin & Ryan Brogan; his great-grandson, Declan Cunningham; and his brother-in-law, George "Ken" Peters. Bill was also predeceased by his grandson, Michael J. Brogan; his sisters, Cecilia Brogan and Margaret "Peggy" Peters; and his brothers, Rev. Edward P. Brogan, John Brogan, and Thomas Brogan.

The family would like to thank Hudson Valley Hospice, and especially Bill's home nurse, Francis, for their care and compassion.

Calling hours will be from 4 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday at the McHoul Funeral Home of Fishkill, Inc., 1089 Main Street, Fishkill. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. on Wednesday at St. Mary, Mother of the Church, 106 Jackson Street, Fishkill. Interment will follow in Fishkill Rural Cemetery with military honors.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Bill's memory to the Wounded Warrior Project or Hudson Valley Hospice Foundation. For driving directions, memorial donations, or online condolences, please visit Bill's Book of Memories at www.mchoulfuneralhome.com.