The San Jose Fire Department Fondly Remembers
Jack Grogan.
On Sunday February 28th, 2010 Jack Grogan passed away. Jack was a volunteer with the San Jose Fire Department for the past five years. He worked closely with Captain Jose Chavez to develop a sustainable HeartSafe City Program for the City of San Jose. In addition he co-founded the Sudden Cardiac Arrest Association which grew to be the largest non-profit advocacy organization focused on cardiac arrest. As a volunteer with the San Jose Fire Department Jack was passionate about preventing unnecessary death due to SCA. He testified before the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Congress and the California legislature. His efforts helped pass legislation requiring California fitness centers to have AED's. As a Korean War veteran he served in the Marine Corps and later went to work for I.B.M. where he had a 43 year career. His drive to fight cardiac arrest was fueled by his own experience as being a SCA survivor. On November 16th, 2002 while on a plane Jack suffered a cardiac episode. Fortunately a Doctor on the plane began early CPR and a flight attendant used an AED on him saving his life. After that episode he had triple bi-pass surgery and began his mission to promote the use of and procurement of AED's across the City. His biggest joy was his wife, Anita, and all of his family. Jack said that he was experiencing a "second chance at life". The people and equipment were there to save him once and he wanted that opportunity for everyone. Mr. Grogan was an asset to the San Jose Fire Department and to all mankind and will be missed by all. Jack was 73. Anita and her family welcome contact thru their home address and e-mail account. ANITAMGRO@aol.com 298 Estaban Way, San Jose CA. 95119. The Funeral Mass has been scheduled for March 8th, 9:30am at the Cathedral Basilica of St. Joseph. 80 S. Market St. More details to follow.
CA Chuck Rangel ###
3 comments:
Jack, we all miss you terribly already. Your incredible work will live on and continue to be felt every day.
My thoughts and prayers go out to Anita and to Jack and Anita's children, grandchildren, and family members. I know his family will deeply miss him. What a tribute to Jack to see all of the information on his many contributions to save lives of those who suffer from cardiac arrest. His greatest contribution was his love and caring for his family. Virgina Parmenter
I was blessed to be able to help support Jack with the HeartSafe project during my last year with the Fire Department. Jack loved to talk about his family, and you just KNEW how much he cared about them by the way he spoke of them. Jack will be deeply missed, but he left a wonderful legacy of life - a gift of a second chance to many, like the one he was so lucky to get.
Post a Comment