Neil Hogan, May 20, 1936 - April 10, 2025

 

We lost our wonderful brother-in-law, Neil Hogan.  He was the husband of Kathy’s sister Elaine.  He has been a writer all his life, and an editor and then columnist at the New Haven Register.  Neil researched and wrote many books, articles, newsletters and editorials about local history, and especially Irish Connecticut history. Neil was Irish to the core, with a sparkle in his eye and an easy smile on his face.  I took this photograph at a hospital where one of his grandchildren had been for treatment and someone sent this dog as a gift.  Neil was carrying it out of the hospital to take it home.  He was always fun to be around because he was so passionate and curious about history,  He traveled to Ireland for some of his research.  In an effort to preserve Irish culture and heritage, he also wrote an Irish newsletter, The “Shanachie,” for many years. The volumes are currently housed at the UCONN Library and the library of Sacred Heart University. He did books on the history of the Irish in Connecticut, where he lived in Wallingford, near his two daughters and his seven grand children.  Neil loved to dance, especially Irish set dancing. The energy required for set dancing would prepare you for running a marathon!  He was a set dancer in New Haven and Glastonbury for many years. He loved Genealogy, biking, golfing, tennis, softball, singing, traveling to Ireland many times and spending time with his grandchildren.
We will all will miss his kind and gentle soul, his humor, sweet demeanor and thoughtfulness. He was a quiet man, who spoke eloquently and passionately through his writing.