Thomas P. Goggan

Thomas P Goggan, 69, died Saturday in Elkhart after a two year battle with Pancreatic Cancer. He is survived by his loving wife of 26 years, Celeste, of Elkhart, IN; his 3 sons, John (Bretta) Goggan of Weidman MI; Chad (Michele Yoder) Maskill of Casselberry FL; Matthew (Tara Evans) Maskill of Nappanee IN; his Daughter in Law, Rhonda (Tom) Mansfield, of Elkhart, IN, (7) grandchildren: Anna, Emily, and Abigail Maskill; Harley and Darin Yoder; and Alyssa Ford and Mason Watson. He is also survived by his mother-in-law, Doris Bailey, of Lakeland, FL; and Brother and Sister-in-laws, Doyle and Marcia Gauld of Lakeland, FL.
He leaves behind (2) Nieces, Tierney Michelle (Ryan) Norris, of Rock Hill, SC; and Jillian Gauld, of Tampa FL; along with (3) nephews, Christopher (Kristine) Goggan of Freeville, NY; Benjamin (Stefanie) Goggan of Tampa FL; and Eric (Lynelle) Gauld of Plant City FL. He is also remembered by many cousins and younger children of family who also knew him as Uncle Tom.
He was preceded in death by his mother and father: Chat and Mary Ellen Goggan; (2) brothers, Patrick and Paul; and father-in- law Chuck Bailey.
Tom’s family was very important to him, and he cherished every one of them, and enjoyed all the time he was able to spend with each of them.
Tom attended Elementary and Junior High School in Niles, MI; Secondary School in Leamington, Ontario; and graduated from Laurentian University, Sudbury, Ontario, in 1968.
He spent most of his business career in law enforcement and Emergency Medical Services, serving these industries for over 40 years. He and Celeste operated Goggan & Associates, Inc., an ambulance dealership, for 18 years before it closed in 2003. After that time, Tom worked for ambulance manufacturers in various Sales and Marketing positions, before retiring from Demers Ambulances as National Sales Manager in 2012. He loved his work and enjoyed building friendships and relationships that lasted throughout his life.
Tom volunteered throughout much of his life, serving the American Red Cross for over 40 years in Michigan and Indiana, as an instructor, instructor-trainer, Board Member and Board Chairman in Elkhart, as well as serving on the Indiana State Service Council. He also volunteered for over 25 years as the Exhibit Chairman for the Michigan Association of Ambulance Services at their annual meeting.
Tom was a member of St. John’s Episcopal Church in Elkhart, and served the Lord faithfully as a Vestry Member, co-chair of the Capital Campaign, as well as general handyman when he was able.

Visitation will be at Stemm Lawson Peterson Funeral Home, 1531 Cobblestone Blvd., Elkhart from 4-7 PM on Friday, August 21, and 10-11 AM on Saturday before the Requiem Mass at 11AM at St. John’s Episcopal Church, 226 W. Lexington, Elkhart. Father Daniel Repp, Rector of St. John’s, will officiate.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to St. John’s Episcopal Church Building Fund or the American Red Cross. Online condolences may be sent to www.stemmlawsonpeterson.com.