Kevin B. Horgan, 76, of Bradford, passed away Wed., August 8 at Portsmouth Hospital.
He was born in Haverhill on June 25, 1942, the son of the late Patrick Sarsfield Horgan and Helen T. (Gudinsky) Horgan.
He was educated in the Haverhill school system and graduated from Haverhill High School with the class of 1960. A star athlete, Horgan earned all-scholastic honors on the football field. He furthered his education earning his master’s from Salem State College. He served others throughout his life as a career educator and gave back to the city that meant so much to him. He served for over 20 years at Whittier Regional Vocational Technical High School as a guidance counselor and coach, and later at Nettle School, and then as an assistant principal at Haverhill High School. He was committed to the Boys & Girls Club and served on the board of directors for many years.
Horgan’s passion was caring for his family and bringing people together. He was devoted to his family, his faith, his community, education and athletics. Always loyal to New England’s sports teams, he witnessed the heydays of the Celtics dynasty, the Sox reverse the curse, and of course the Patriots. He loved watching his children compete in sports, and then his grandchildren, always full of pride and eager to tell others about their exploits. He was a competitor and an inspiring mentor, anxious to see others succeed and willing to help them get there. People that came in contact with Horgan, in large respects or small, knew that he cared about them very personally. His sense of humor and incredible generosity and loyalty made him a great friend, father and husband.
Humble beginnings on Washington Street in Haverhill as the eldest son of the clan led to a lifetime of hard work, leadership and ambition to build a great life for his family. Often working multiple supplemental jobs including selling real estate, bar tending and directing night school, Horgan created a life of opportunity for his beloved wife and children. In 1971 he bought a beach cottage in Seabrook, N.H., and it became the magnet for extended family and an outpost for family memories and activity that lasted to his final days. A self-made success story, Horgan was a role model and lived a life that brought joy to those around him. He had an uncommon sense of responsibility and caring for others; always willing to help and support when those he knew faced challenges.
He is survived by his loving wife of 50 years Catherine “Katie” (Donahue) Horgan of Bradford, four children Patrick E. Horgan of Westminster, Kerry A. de Vries and her husband Raimo of Wayne, Penn., Paul W. Horgan and his wife Rebecca A. Shotwell of Virginia Beach, Va., and Kevin B. Horgan Jr. of Bradford. He also leaves behind his three younger siblings, William Horgan of Chicago, Kathleen Parker of Bradford, and Sharon P. Bradley of The Villages, Fla., seven grandchildren Maxwell, Brady, Charlotte, Jack, Alexander, Liam, and Hannah as well as several nieces and nephews.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend his calling hours on Tuesday, Aug. 14, from 3-7 p.m. at the H.L. Farmer and Sons Bradford Funeral Home, 210 South Main St., (Rt. 125) Bradford. A Funeral Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday, Aug. 15, at 10 a.m. in Sacred Hearts Church, 165 South Main St., Bradford. Burial will follow in Elmwood Cemetery, Bradford.