Neal Patrick Rogan

Neal was a big person. Successful, funny, quick-witted, and loyal. He was a self-made man and set a high bar for himself as a lawyer, friend, father and husband. Nobody was harder on Neal than Neal. He agonized over his failures, real or imagined, and downplayed his natural generosity and innate kindness. Neal loved his boys fiercely and tried to share the best parts of who he was with his sons, Michael and Jack.

Neal was the middle child in a brood of seven. He was eternally optimistic, the peacemaker, protective of his younger siblings, and eager to impress his three older brothers. He jumped off roofs, took his handmade leaky raft into the Amawalk reservoir, raced his bike off ramps made of planks and raised by cinder blocks. With each added block, he sailed higher and never blinked until he crashed into the side of the house. He was impressive.

As an adult, he took other chances. He left a well-established corporate career after earning his law degree from Quinnipiac University to launch himself into the legal world. It was exciting, demanding and a perfect fit for Neal. He was a gifted attorney, committed to the maxim that everyone is entitled to a vigorous defense.

Neal was a tidy golfer and drove his late father and late brother Owen mad with his serene stroll through 18 holes, all the while chipping away at their confidence with his sly observations about their swings and stances.

Neal would try anything once. He jet-skied, snow skied, zip-lined, rock climbed, and took a racetrack course in a BMW. He also went skydiving which he unabashedly admitted was terrifying and no fun at all.

Neal was a son, a brother, a husband and a father. Of these, the role he cherished most was father to Michael and Jack. He gave it his all and leaves his sons much more than he ever imagined he could.

In addition to his sons, Michael and Jack, Neal leaves his former wife Melanie, his surviving siblings, Danny, Tricia (Robert), Joseph, and Mary (Barbara). He is predeceased by his two older brothers, Edward (Linda) and Owen (Karen).  Neal will also be missed by his surviving nephews and niece.

Friends and family may visit on Friday, August 18th from 4-7pm at the Spear-Miller Funeral Home, 39 South Benson Rd., Fairfield.  All other services will be private. In Lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Quinnipiac University to help students with the cost of education.