The Santa Clara County EMS System was saddened to learn of the passing of Jack Grogan last week. Please join us in remembering a great leader and advocate.Jack was a SCA survivor. His life was saved onboard a United Airline plane in November of 2002. He was featured in a United Airlines AED/CPR safety training video. He has also been interviewed on television and by numerous print publications regarding his SCA experience and the importance of greater public access to defibrillation. In addition, he was featured in a television documentary on Sudden Cardiac Arrest. Jack spoke before many organizations and businesses sharing his passion for this cause. Jack was an AED/ EMS volunteer for the San Jose Fire Department. In addition, he wa an AHA certified AED/CPR Instructor on the San Jose Fire Department training faculty. His unwavering dedication was honored recently when Jack accepted the department's Devoted Service Award for his work on the city's AED programs.
Jack was a strong advocate for public access to defibrillation and ICD-related issues on the local, state, and federal level. He testified before the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the US Congress and the California Legislature. Due to the efforts of Jack and other SCAA Survivors and Ambassadors, in 2005 the California legislature successfully passed two Bills and one Resolution relating to AEDs. Jack testified before the Senate Judiciary Committee in support of AB 254 and also worked on ACR (Assembly Concurrent Resolution) 57. Both pieces of legislation will make it easier for California schools to implement AED programs. Spearheading support for AB1507, the California Fitness Center Bill, Jack testified numerous times before the State Senate and State Assembly. His efforts contributed to the passing of this Bill that now requires all California fitness centers and health clubs to have AEDs onsite and personnel trained in their use.
In 2006, he worked getting support for another California Legislature resolution relating to the prevention of Sudden Cardiac Arrest; SJR (Senate Joint Resolution) 21. This Resolution passed both the State Senate and State Assembly unanimously in June 2006. His tireless efforts to save lives from SCA were recognized in 2005 by the Medtronic Corporation when they presented him with their Community Champion Award as part of the "Keep the Beat" campaign.
For the past three years, Jack was the emcee and honored guest at the Heart Skate, a local skate-a-thon organized and supported by local high school students which benefits the Heart Rhythm Society and the American Heart Association.
Story by Patty Fisher, San Jose Mercury
Jack Grogan knew he was living on borrowed time, and he was determined to make every minute count.
Technically, Grogan died in 2002, when his heart stopped beating while he was sitting on an airplane, waiting to take off. He survived only because a quick-thinking flight attendant shocked him back to life with a portable defibrillator.
After that experience and triple bypass surgery, the hard driving ex-Marine dedicated his life to making sure others would get a second chance the way he had. He campaigned tirelessly to put defibrillators in public buildings and make sure people knew how to use them.
Largely because of his efforts, on Sunday night, when Grogan's heart stopped again after he got off a plane at Mineta San Jose Airport, two people came running with portable defibrillators. His son, Dale, knew how to use the machine and shocked him three times. Bystanders took turns giving him CPR until paramedics arrived.
But Jack Grogan, 73, didn't come back to life a second time. His borrowed time had run out.
Those who mourn his passing, like Captain Jose Chavez of the San Jose Fire Department, are comforted by one thought: "He absolutely had the chance that he fought for everyone to have," Chavez said. "He was passionate about that."
A man on a mission
I've known a lot of people who had near-death experiences. Some answered the wake-up call by launching new careers, traveling or spending more time with family. Grogan did all those things, but his primary mission was to save lives.
Chavez first met the retired IBM executive about four years ago. Grogan was working as a volunteer for the Fire Department, teaching CPR and helping to get defibrillators into city buildings. In 2007, they launched the city's HeartSafe City Project, which has expanded the number of defibrillators in public buildings to 700, provided training and raised local awareness. They spoke to school classes, fire academies, Little League teams and business groups about how anyone can be a hero. Grogan's work was not confined to San Jose. He cofounded the Sudden Cardiac Arrest Association based in Washington, D.C. He pushed for a California law requiring defibrillators in health clubs, spoke before Congress and at doctors' conferences. "He put more hours into a day than was imaginable," said his wife, Anita. "In addition to being my husband and the love of my life, he was a larger-than-life person."
A huge loss
Grogan brought the same energy and passion to his volunteer job as he had to his 43-year career with IBM.
"He used to call me his boss," Chavez said, "but anyone who knew him would know that, well, I could never be his boss." Anita Grogan sees the irony in the circumstances of Jack's second attack. "I don't know what it was about him and airports," she told me. Chavez said Grogan hated being away from his family. "But he knew that what he was doing was important, that it would help others be with their loved ones a little longer," he said. " Even if only just to say goodbye."
Jacks Story of Survival--In His Own Words
On November 16, 2002, I had to make an emergency trip from San Jose via Chicago to Hartford due to the fact that my uncle was very ill and not expected to live. Minutes before United Flight 1540 was to leave Chicago for Hartford, I realized that I was at the wrong gate and had to make a very long run to get to the proper gate. When the plane was positioned for take-off, one of the passengers noticed that I had a problem and called for help. Another passenger, Dr. Joxel Garcia, came to my aid and determined that I was not breathing and had no pulse; he immediately began CPR. The flight attendants notified the pilot and began their emergency procedures.
Flight attendant Michelle Braddock came forward with the onboard AED and connected it to my chest. The AED indicated that a shock was required; Michelle administered the shock which successfully restored my heart to a normal rhythm. Dr. Joxel Garcia and Michelle Braddock had saved my life! As the plane returned to the gate they continued to help me. When the plane got back to the gate, the Chicago Fire Department EMTs rushed me to the Resurrection Medical Center. The doctors told me many times that I would not have survived without the immediate medical care I received onboard the plane. During my hospital stay I was referred to as the "miracle patient".
My wife Anita and family in California were immediately notified and within a few short hours they were on a plane headed for Chicago. I am eternally grateful for the extraordinary people that formed my "chain of survival": Dr. Joxel Garcia, flight attendant Michelle Braddock and the other crew members of United Flight 1540, the Chicago Fire Department EMTs, the Resurrection Medical Center Staff and my wonderful doctors in Chicago, Cardiologist Dr. Rebecca Duke and Cardiovascular Surgeon Dr. Jeffrey Silver, who performed my bypass surgery. I am also very grateful for the extraordinary love and support I received from my wonderful family; my wife, our sons and daughters, our six grandchildren, our extended family and many friends around the world.
Obituary: John Matthew "Jack" Grogan
John 'Jack' Matthew Grogan Jack was born in Hartford, Connecticut on December 15, 1936, to Arthur Joseph Grogan and Mary Blessing Grogan. Jack attended schools in San Francisco and Richmond and graduated from Richmond High School. A Korean War veteran, Jack proudly served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1954 to 1958. Soon after discharge Jack entered college to pursue an Electrical Engineering Degree.
In June of 1958 Jack met the love of his life Anita Lackey Grogan. They were married on March 21, 1959, and they shared a wonderful life together for almost 51 years. Their first son Dale was born in 1960, and soon after they moved to San Jose CA., and Jack began his career with the IBM Corporation. They were blessed with daughters Colleen in 1962 and Becky in 1963. Son John joined the family in 1966. Jack always felt his greatest achievement was his children. Jack had a very strong devotion to his family and was the world's greatest husband, Dad, and Poppa. Through the years the favorite family time together was always their many trips to Disneyland. Jack was always the first one through the gate and the last one to leave the park at night! Jack's grandchildren know that 'Poppa' thought he had the smartest, most handsome and beautiful, and most talented grandchildren ever, and Jack took great pride in all their accomplishments. Several of them are involved in SCA activities at their schools.
During his 43-year career with IBM Jack was honored with many awards and recognitions including the President's Award for Excellence. He held many positions during his time at IBM, and he traveled for the company to 25 countries. Jack retired from IBM in 2001 as an Engineering Executive with the title of Distinguished Engineer.
On November 16, 2002, Jack suffered a Sudden Cardiac Arrest on a United airplane. A fellow passenger performed CPR, and the Flight Attendant used the AED. Together these two people saved Jack's life. This overwhelming event took Jack's life in a new and fulfilling direction. He became a passionate volunteer to make the public more aware of SCA and the importance of knowing CPR and how to use an AED. Jack was co-founder of the Sudden Cardiac Arrest Association which is now the nation's largest non- profit advocacy organization singularly focused on SCA. He serves on the Board of Directors of this Organization. For the last five years Jack has loved being an AED/EMS volunteer with the San Jose Fire Department. His unwavering dedication was honored by the SJFD when he received the Devoted Service Award for advancing the city's AED programs. His hope was to one day see San Jose deemed a Heart Safe City .
On Sunday, February 28, 2010, Jack was returning from an SCAA Board Meeting in Wash. DC when he collapsed of an SCA at San Jose Airport. He was given CPR, and the AED was used. However he was not able to be saved.
Jack was the loving husband of Anita; a wonderful father to- son Dale Grogan (wife Janet), daughter Colleen Grogan Gann ( husband Jerome), daughter Rebecca Grogan Rogers (husband Larry), all of San Jose, and son John Grogan (wife Bao) of Sacramento; and a proud Poppa to his grandchildren Amy, Kelley, and Casie Grogan and Chris, Lauren, and Caitlin Rogers of San Jose, and Dylan Grogan of Sacramento. He is also survived by brother Richard Grogan (wife Judith); step-sister Joyce Berman; Mother -in-law Marie Lackey, brother-in-law Larry Lackey (wife Joyce), sister-in-law Alice Lackey, sister-in-law Kathy Webb (husband Barry); and many nieces and nephews and cousins He was preceded in death by his father, Arthur J. Grogan, his mother Mary Grogan Hinton, step-father James Hinton, father-in-law Dale Lackey. We will miss him terribly and our lives will never be the same. We always knew we were the most important part of his life. We will honor him by continuing the work that he was doing and that was so important to him. Visitation will be held on Sunday, March 7 at 5:30 p.m. with a rosary at 7:30 p.m., which will include sharing and remembering, at the Lima Family Mortuary, 710 Willow St., San Jose, CA. The Funeral Mass on Monday, March 8 will be preceded by a procession starting at 8:45 a.m. at the above mortuary and thence to the Cathedral Basilica of St. Joseph, 80 So. Market St., San Jose, CA where the mass will be celebrated commencing at 9:30 a.m. The family requests that you honor Jack by learning CPR and how to use an AED. Donations may be made to the JACK GROGAN MEMORIAL AED FUND at http://associationdatabase.com/aws/SCAA/pt/sp/Home_Page.
