Rev. William E. Grogan Jr.'s Obituary
Reverend William E. Grogan, Jr., Pastor, Holy Cross Parish, Philadelphia, died on Sunday,
August 25, 2024. He was 68 years old.
Father Grogan was born in Baltimore, Maryland. He is the son of the late William E. and Nora
M. (Loughrey) Grogan. Surviving is his loving family including 3 sisters and two brothers,
Maryanne Porter (Jim) of Woodlyn, PA; Rev. James J. Grogan of Moorestown, NJ;
Patricia Byrnes (Don) of York, PA; Jeanmarie Blaisse (Robert) of Newtown Square, PA;
and Thomas F. Grogan (Nancy) of Wallingford, PA; many nieces and nephews; and
many other loving family members and friends.
Father Grogan attended Saint Teresa of Avila, Valley Forge and Our Lady of Charity,
Brookhaven Parochial Schools, Saint Joseph’s Preparatory High School, Philadelphia, and Saint
Joseph’s University, Philadelphia, before entering Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary.
Father Grogan was ordained on May 21, 1983, at the Cathedral Basilica of SS. Peter and Paul,
Philadelphia by His Eminence John Cardinal Krol. Father Grogan served as Assistant Pastor, St.
Martin of Tours Parish, Philadelphia; St. Kevin Parish, Springfield. He served on the faculty at
Cardinal Dougherty High School, Philadelphia, and St. Pius X High School, Pottstown. Father
Grogan served as Newman Chaplain to Drexel University, where he was also parochial vicar at
St. Agatha – St. James Parish. He was named President of Archbishop John Carroll High School,
Radnor, in 2007 and served until 2009. He was appointed Pastor, All Saint Parish, Philadelphia
from 2009 to 2013. Most recently in 2013 he was appointed Pastor, of his beloved Holy Cross
Parish, Philadelphia, where he was loved by all who knew him.
Funeral arrangements for Father Grogan are as follows; The Reception of the Body will be held
on Thursday, August 29, 2024 at 8:30 AM, at Holy Cross Church, 140 E. Mount Airy Avenue,
Philadelphia, PA followed by a viewing beginning at 9:00 AM – 10:50 AM followed by a
Funeral Mass at 11:00 AM.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Fr. Grogan’s memory to St. Charles
Borromeo Seminary, 1400 Evans Rd, Ambler, PA 19002.
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