Herman 'Mike' W. Grogan, 77, former PHS Track Coach, Dies

The Portsmouth community learned today that it lost a caring educator and beloved high school track coach when Herman "Mike" W. Grogan passed away at age 77.

According to his obituary from the J.S. Pelkey Funeral Home in Kittery, Maine, Grogan, of York Woods Road in South Berwick, Maine, died Friday, Dec. 2, 2011, at Maine Medical Center in Portland.

He was born Jan. 18, 1934, in Kittery, a son of Wesley E. and Agnes R. (Spinney) Grogan. Mike, as many folks knew him, was raised in Kittery and graduated from Eliot High School with the Class of 1952. He furthered his education at Gorham State Teachers College, where he would meet and later marry his loving wife of more than 50 years, Pamela W. (Whitten) Grogan.

Together they made their home in the Errol, N.H., area while they both taught school in Errol. They later moved to Portsmouth, N.H., and Eliot for a time, until they settled in South Berwick and made it their home, where they would raise a family.

Grogan taught English at Portsmouth High School and coached the track team for more than 34 years. He was known as being gruff but caring. In 2004, the obituary notes the track was named for him and his dedication to coaching, and in 2008, a 3½-ton engraved stone was dedicated to him and the Portsmouth Athletic Complex, where he dedicated so much of himself.

Grogan also coached at Exeter High School, Phillips Exeter Academy and was most recently a coach at Spaulding High School, specializing in pole vaulting, high jump and hurdles.

An accomplished artist, he enjoyed painting in oil. He enjoyed teaching at Maine Continuing Education for the University of Maine system in Portland, and had recently finished a New England folklore class as well as his classes on submarine history.

His family farm brought him relaxation; over the years he enjoyed raising rabbits, ducks, peacocks, pigeons, cows, pigs and his favorite draft horse, Tom.

He is survived by his daughters, Storm and her husband, Thomas Sawyer, and Penny Grogan of Eliot; a son, Michael and his wife, Tracy Grogan, and their sons Wesley and Ryan Grogan, all of South Berwick; a brother, Donald and his wife, Sara Jane Grogan, of Berwick; as well as several nieces and nephews.

SERVICES: A memorial service will be celebrated at 6 p.m. Friday, Dec. 16, in the First Parish Federated Church, with the Rev. Donna Muise officiating. A time of sharing and refreshment will follow. Private burial will be next to his wife in Brooks Memorial Park. Online condolences may be made by visiting www.jspelkeyfuneralhome.com. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to The United Way of the Greater Seacoast, 112 Corporate Drive, Unit 3, Portsmouth, NH 03801, or to Eliot Boy Scout Troop #340, c/o Mike Pearson, P.O. Box 302, Eliot, ME 03903. Care for the Grogan family has been entrusted to the J.S. Pelkey Funeral Home.