FARMINGTON – William Daniel Bogar, 89, died serenely at his home in Farmington on Sunday, July 19, 2009. He succumbed to cancer after a brave and brief battle.
He was born the second of three boys in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, son of John Daniel and Olive M. (Shaffer) Bogar. He graduated from John Harris High School in 1937. In 1941 he was awarded a B.S. in Education from Pennsylvania State University, where he was president of Phi Kappa Tau.
From 1942 to 1946, Bill served in the Army Air Force. During World War II, he was a pilot in the 77 Bomb Squadron, flying B-25 bombing missions from the Aleutian Islands in the Pacific front. At the time of his separation from the Army Air Force, his rank was 1st Lieutenant.
While stationed in Lubbock, Texas, Bill married his one true love, Oleta Pearl DuBose of Lubbock, on July 24, 1944. After the war, they moved to Harrisburg and then to several different locations in Pennsylvania. In 1960 they settled their family on Manning Street in Needham, Mass., where they raised their three children and later proudly embraced their six grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
In 1946 Bill joined the Commercial Union Insurance Group (now One Beacon Corporation) as field claims adjuster. He subsequently served in various field and Boston Home Office positions of increasing responsibility, including vice president and corporate secretary. In 1975 Bill retired as senior vice president of Claims and Risk Management of the Commercial Union Insurance Group in Boston, Mass.
Support and love for their entire family always came first in the lives of Bill and Oleta, mixed with their original wit and joy of laughter. Early retirement also enabled Bill and his wife to spend many winters in Florida, where Bill and his brothers played in a local dance band. With his natural ability and interest, music was a major focus during Bill’s entire life. Playing tenor saxophone professionally in his younger years and recreationally later, he was an exceptionally talented saxophonist and organist. Bill also used his expert plant knowledge and eye for beauty to landscape their home in Needham.
He is survived by his two loving sons W. David Bogar and wife Nancy of Rindge, N.H.; John D.Bogar and wife Mardy of Farmington, Me; his loving daughter Patricia A. Green and husband Gary of Dover, Mass.; six loving grandchildren, Steven A. Bogar of Mansfield, Mass.; Jacob D. Bogar and wife Caitlin of Farmington, Me; Cynthia L. Winther and husband Ben of Henniker, N.H.; Rebecca Bogar Capozza and husband Rocco of Farmington, Me; Ethan W. Bogar of Bolton Valley, Vt; and Hannah M. Bogar of Denver, Co.; and six great-grandchildren, Noah J. Bogar, Amelia M. Capozza, Levi J. Bogar, Eva A. Capozza, Elsa L. Winther, and Nina C. Bogar; Margaret S. Bogar of Mechanicsburg, Penn., loving wife of his late brother James, and many nieces, nephews, cousins, great nieces, and great nephews.
He was predeceased by his precious wife Oleta P. Bogar; his cherished brother Robert S. Bogar and wife Dorothy of Mechanicsburg, PA; and cherished brother James B. Bogar of Mechanicsburg, PA.
A private service will be held in Dover, Mass., where he will rest peacefully beside his loving wife of almost 64 years. Arrangements are under the direction of Adams-McFarlane Funeral & Cremation Svc. 108 Court St. Farmington, ME 04938. Online condolences may be sent through the “contact us” option at the funeral home’s Web site www.adamsmcfarlane.com.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that any donations in Bill’s memory be made to the Franklin Community Health Network, Foundation Office, 111 Franklin Health Commons, Farmington, ME 04938.
