Bill Grogan, Jr. passed away peacefully Monday February 4th at Valley Hospice in Scottsdale, Arizona. He had been hospitalized a week earlier with symptoms of renal failure and pneumonia. Bill always brought joy and laughter into the lives of others and never complained about the variety of challenges he faced courageously during his full and loving life. Bill was a graduate of Hyde Park School and Reading High School and was one of the first special education students to "mainstream." He especially loved American Colonial history and would surprise people when he would rattle off the name of each person who signed the Declaration of Independence. At Reading High, Bill was the manager to State Champion Basketball, Baseball and Football squads. He loved all sports and was an avid Reds, Bengals, Diamondbacks, and Cardinals fan. Bill loved Leland, Michigan where he spent his summers. He took his duties as the Leland Yacht Club "Flagmaster For Life" very seriously and always enjoyed the 4th of July Yacht Club ceremonies and marching in Leland's 4th of July parade. He was happiest on his daily walks through Leland, visiting the shops and greeting everyone who crossed his path. As a speaker to many groups and as a member of the Board of Directors of "Sharing Down Syndrome," Bill inspired young parents and gave them a wonderful insight into the joy a "special" child could bring into their lives. He loved reading and research and published two "Who Am I" books: one about famous Cincinnatians and another about famous Ohioans. A diabetic from the age of one year, he needed insulin daily and, later in life, dialysis three days a week. Bill was forever grateful to the talented transplant team at University Hospital in Cincinnati where he received a new kidney and pancreas on All Saints Day in 2000. His days of dialysis and shots of insulin ended on that miraculous day---giving him the freedom to enjoy life to the fullest---even ice cream and real Coca-Cola! Bill is survived by his sisters, Susan Grogan Faller and Ellen Grogan Renneker, their husbands Ken Faller and Dewey Renneker and their children Beth, Maura and Julie Faller and Nick and Joe Renneker. He is also survived by his brother, Jim Grogan and his wife Mary Jo and their children Bill, Leah, Chris and Amy Grogan. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday February 9th at 9:00 am at St. Mary Church on Erie Avenue in Hyde Park. The family is requesting that in lieu of flowers, those so inclined make a donation to Down Syndrome Assoc. of Greater Cincinnati, 1821 Summit Rd., Suite 102, Cincinnati 45237, the American Diabetes Association, 644 Linn Street, Suite 304, Cincinnati 45203 or the Kidney Foundation of Greater Cincinnati, 2200 Victory Pkwy, Suite 510, Cincinnati, OH 45206.

Service

Saturday, February 9, 2008 9:00 AM St. Mary Church of Hyde Park 2853 Erie Avenue Cincinnati 45208, United States