Thomas James (TJ) Brogan

Thomas James (TJ) Brogan, age 94, passed away peacefully in his sleep on Friday August 7, 2026 at The Water’s on Mayowood in Rochester, MN.
He was born August 15, 1931 at St. Marys Hospital in Rochester, MN to Boyd James Brogan and Magdalen Mary “Lena” (Hegel) Brogan. Tom was one of four children. The family lived in Rochester, MN and he fondly remembered his childhood.
He married the love of his life, Ethelyn Rolene “Sue” Flury on September 17, 1955, at St. Francis Church in Rochester, MN. They shared a wonderfully blessed 68 years together. He was a loving and caring father of three children; Roxanne Marie (Tim) Stewart of Byron, MN, Craig Thomas Brogan of Rochester, MN, and Brian Boyd Brogan (deceased).
One of the greatest joys of his life were his “grandbabies” and “great grandbabies”. He has six grandchildren; Luke (Amanda) Stewart, Trina (Doug) Olson, Derek (Kelly) Nelson, Tareyl (Molly) Stewart, Kalli Brogan and Kyle Brogan. He has eleven great grandchildren; Hannah Olson, Autumn Olson, Connor Nelson, Chase Stewart, Dreena Balfe, Alexei Nelson, Calla Stewart, Carter Stewart, Mason Stewart, Jack Stewart and Russell Stewart. Tom deeply loved, adored, and treasured time spent with family.
Tom started working delivering papers via bicycle to the entire city of Rochester, MN, riding mostly on dirt roads. He worked in the Zumbro Hotel Cafeteria as a cook during high school. He was also an accomplished wrestler during high school. After graduating from Rochester High School in 1949, he attended vocational training as an apprentice for Sheet Metal Workers Local 10.
In 1951, Tom and his best friend, Dick Buske, drove to the city to enlist in the Navy. When Tom got back home and told his mother he enlisted, she handed him his draft papers. His high test scores and voluntary enlistment afforded him the opportunity to choose his job. He was forever thankful that he joined the Navy and served during the Korean War.
In the Navy, he worked in damage control and carpentry and was proud he was the person selected to repair Higgins landing craft (used for landing on the beaches in Normandy). His ability to accomplish this task won Tom and his Commanding Officer many accolades and special privileges such as extended leave time. He also learned underwater welding for repair of damaged ships. He told of the time he was sent to Camp Lejeune and was the fastest person to ever crawl through the mud under barbed wire. The Commanding Officer didn’t believe anyone could go through that fast and told him to go do it again. Tom’s response was” if someone is shooting over your head, you can do the impossible”.
While off ship in Virgina, he worked for John Parker and started a business manufacturing spun strand steel for buildings. One of his great prides was a 1951 Cadillac four-door sedan he and John Parker hand-crafted/converted into an award-winning two-door sedan. They cut the Cadillac in half, welded the front of a Buick facing backward to the rear, and added a third fin crafted from a Pontiac hood.
When home on leave, Tom worked for Regan and Edwards Roofing and Sheet Metal. This was the starting point for his well-known Rochester business-Tom Brogan Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc., which he owned and operated from 1979 until his retirement in 2011. After retirement, Tom regularly visited to check in and sit in his office, which was kept open for him. Roxy and Craig ran the family business until 2024 when it was sold to Ahern Company out of Fond du Lac, WI.
Tom and Sue loved to camp and travel. Their love of camping began when they belonged to the boat club and boated on the Mississippi River. Tom served as Captain of the boat club for a time. There were family adventures in the motorhome to Mille Lacs Lake, Big Sandy Lake, and many other fishing destinations. Camping adventures were near water so Tom could boat and hopefully catch a fish or two. Family road trips to Disneyland, Disney World, Tennessee, Iowa, Wisconsin, Kentucky, California and Arizona were enjoyed. Tom and Sue were very fortunate to take many vacations together including Alaska, Hawaii, England, Ireland, Switzerland, Yugoslavia and many destinations in the Caribbean.
Family was a priority for Tom and Sue- they travelled many miles to attend weddings, graduations, plays, baptisms, etc.
Tom was an avid fan and season ticket holder for the Minnesota Vikings when they played in the outdoor stadium. He and buddies traveled in a motorhome to the Super Bowl in New Orleans. He loved sports and enjoyed watching the Twins, Wild, Timberwolves, etc. Tom has several bowling trophies from years spent bowling with buddies.
Tom always looked forward to yearly fishing trips with buddies Dale and Dar to St. Joe in Canada, Zippel Bay Resort on Lake of the Woods, and Lake Winnibigoshish. His love of water and fishing likely began when Tom and his brother, Jerry, built a boat in the basement of their home. Their father never let them set sail for fear it would sink!
Tom was a member of many organizations in and around Rochester; VFW Post 1215, Color Guard, Korean War Veteran, American Legion, Knights of Columbus, 40 & 8, Elks, Eagles, Exchange Club, Midwest Jeepster Association (MJA), SMARCA, and Sheet Metal Local 10. Tom spent many summers involved with local parades and enjoyed his time as a member of the VFW Color Guard. He enjoyed meeting new friends and driving one of his many Willy’s Jeepsters around with the MJA .
Tom and Sue had a winter home in Fulton, Texas and had a permanent campsite at the Ponderosa Campground for several years.
Tom was affectionately described as a “lady killer”, his bright blue eyes and smile lit up any room. He has many friends and was very social. It was stated that he could carry on a conversation with anyone about anything and could even get a wall to talk to him if given enough time.
Tom was someone who could always be counted on- always ready and willing to lend a helping hand. He was an “old school” handshake guy that always trusted people. He had a mind like a steel trap and greeted people by name (or the special nick name that he gave them).
With a quick smile and sparkle in his eye, he enjoyed life to the fullest. He was always having fun...even if it meant getting into a little mischief every now and then! His smile and willingness to talk to anyone gained him quick friends everywhere he ventured!
Tom was a persistent optimist throughout his life, he found something good in every day, and trusted things would work out. A lasting memory is to always try to find the positive in every situation.
He will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him. As a beloved father, brother, grandpa, great grandpa, uncle and best friend that anyone could ever ask for, we will always treasure the great memories!
He was preceded in death by his loving wife Sue, his parents Boyd and Lena Brogan, parents-in-law Ernest and Hattie Flury, brother Jerry, son Brian plus many brother in-laws, sister in-laws, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and friends.
He is survived by daughter Roxanne “Roxy” (Tim) Stewart, son Craig Brogan, sisters Cheryl (Gerald) Fischer, Rita (Hugh) Ouellette, sister in-law Karen Flury, six grandchildren, eleven great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.
The Funeral Service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, August 15, 2026, in the River Park Chapel at Macken Funeral Home with Rev. Msgr. Gerald Mahon officiating. Visitation will be held from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Friday, August 14, 2026, in the River Park Chapel and one hour prior to the service on Saturday. The burial will be in Grandview Memorial Gardens with Military Honors.
Special thank you to Fieldcrest Nursing Home, Samaritan Bethany on Eighth, Mayo Hospice, and The Water’s on Mayowood staff for the compassion, friendship and care you have extended to Tom over the past two years.
The family requests memorial gifts be designated to Seeds of Wisdom 11- 4th Ave SW Rochester, MN 55902 or charity of your choice.
A livestream of the service and online condolences will be available at www.mackenfuneralhome.com