Former Norwood General Manager John P. Mogan Passes Away at 72-September 16, 1994

John P. Mogan, a Norwood native who dedicated much of his life to public service and served as the town’s general manager for seven years, died Tuesday at his home in Laurinburg, North Carolina, following a year-long battle with cancer. He was 72.

Remembered by friends, family, and former colleagues as an intensely dedicated worker and a remarkably warm individual, Mogan left a lasting financial and administrative legacy in his hometown. “He just enjoyed life, and had a nice family. Everybody liked him and he liked everybody,” reflected his younger brother, Francis Mogan of Foxboro.

A Career in Municipal Management and the $8 Million Boston Edison Settlement

Armed with a civil engineering degree from Northeastern University, Mogan began his career in town government in 1967 when he was appointed as Walpole’s town administrator. In December 1971, he emerged from a field of 69 applicants to be chosen as Norwood’s general manager, a post he assumed in 1972.

Working upwards of 80 hours a week, Mogan steered Norwood through the 1970s. Former selectman Joseph Curran Sr. praised his leadership style: “John was a great administrator. He was firm but fair.”

Perhaps Mogan’s most monumental achievement for the town was his relentless pursuit of the Boston Edison Company alongside Municipal Light Department Superintendent Bill Gates. The two frequently traveled to Washington, D.C., to testify before the Federal Power Commission, arguing that Boston Edison had grossly overcharged the town. The legal battle eventually resulted in Norwood receiving a massive refund of more than $8 million.

Selectman William Butters, who began his Norwood government career alongside Mogan in 1972, noted the profound impact of the victory: “That was a pot of gold that helped us get over the tough times.” After leaving Norwood in 1979, Mogan continued his public service in Delaware, serving as Dover’s city manager and later as a Sussex County engineer, before eventually retiring to North Carolina to be closer to his grandchildren.

Military Service and Personal Passions

Born on August 19, 1922, Mogan was a product of St. Catherine’s School and Norwood High School. Known as the “brain of the family,” he entered the Army Air Corps in his early 20s, serving as a highly decorated combat pilot in the Pacific Theater during World War II.

His love for aviation never faded. Decades after the war, he rekindled his passion for the skies. “When he turned 70, he got his license again to fly,” his brother Francis shared. “We couldn’t believe it. His wife couldn’t believe it.”

Mogan is survived by his wife, Malvina Mogan; his daughter, Janice King, and son-in-law, Timothy King (both veterinarians in Chicago); two grandchildren; and his brother Francis. He was preceded in death by his brother William in 1990.

Visiting hours will be held at the Gillooly Funeral Home on Sunday from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. and 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 9:00 a.m. on Monday at St. Catherine of Siena Church in Norwood, with burial to follow at Holy Cross Cemetery in Hudson, New Hampshire. Donations in his memory may be directed to the Hospice of Scotland County in Laurinburg, N.C.

Archival Note: This article has been dynamically reconstructed from the original public record print archives of the Patriot Ledger