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Vernon Charles Brogan, age 82, of Ocean View, DE, formerly of Beltsville, MD, passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family on Tuesday, September 9, 2025, at Beebe Healthcare in Lewes, DE.
Born on May 3, 1943, in Trenton, NJ, Vernon was the son of the late Joseph Brogan and the late Irene (Detterer) Brogan. He graduated from Northwood High School in Silver Spring, MD.
Vernon enjoyed a successful career as a central office technician with C&P Telephone Company. After retiring and relocating to Sussex County, Delaware in 1999, he remained active in the community, working as a handyman and grounds maintenance for several local properties.
He was a dedicated family man who supported his children not only through his work but also through his volunteerism. Vernon will be remembered as a cherished friend to many. He was actively involved with the Beltsville Boys & Girls Club, coaching various sports his children participated in. A devout Catholic, Vernon was a faithful parishioner of both St. Joseph Catholic Church in Beltsville, MD, and St. Ann Catholic Church in Bethany Beach, DE.
A former member of the Knights of Columbus, Vernon was a passionate collector of stamps and model trains. He cherished time at the beach, and loved boating, crabbing, fishing, and, most of all, spending time with his loving family. He and his beloved wife Diana especially enjoyed wintering and camping in Florida. Vernon will also be fondly remembered for his deep love of animals.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother-in-law, James Holtzman. Vernon is survived by his loving wife and best friend of 60 years, Diana Lee (England) Brogan and his five children, Charles V. Brogan and his wife, Tanya of Ellicott City, MD, Glenn P. Brogan and his wife, Kimberly of St. Simons Island, GA, Craig L. Brogan and his wife, Kelly of Huntingtown, MD, Shawn J. Brogan and his wife, Julie of Woodbine, MD and Diana A. Brogan of Millsboro, DE. He is also survived by his fifteen loving grandchildren, Luke Brogan and his fiancée, Taylor Johnson, Samuel Brogan, Shane Brogan, Patrick Brogan, Anna Brogan, Colin Brogan, Amanda Brogan, Nicholas Brogan, Lily Brogan, Leilani Brogan and her fiancé, Keith Riddle, Amelia Brogan, Kaylee Brogan, Nathan Armstrong, Mason Brogan and Caroline Mills and a great granddaughter, Amara Buie. In addition, he is survived by his three siblings, Irene Cornish and her husband, Kevin Cornish, Eva Bihlear and Vincent Brogan; a sister-in-law, Charlene Holtzman and several nieces and nephews.
A viewing will be held from 6-8 PM on Tuesday, September 16, 2025 at the Ocean View Chapel of Melson Funeral Services, 38040 Muddy Neck Rd., Ocean View, DE 19970. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 AM on Wednesday, September 17, 2025 at St. Ann Catholic Church, 691 Garfield Parkway, Bethany Beach, DE 19930. Interment will follow at Gate of Heaven Cemetery in Dagsboro, DE.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions in Vernon's name to Tunnel to Towers Foundation by visiting www.t2t.org
Tuesday
Ocean View Chapel of Melson Funeral Services
6:00 - 8:00 pm
Wednesday
St. Ann Catholic Church
Starts at 11:00 am
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