Paul Brogan, Beloved Concord Writer And Author, Musician, And Veteran, Passes Away At 75

CONCORD, NH — Paul E. Brogan, a lifelong resident of Concord, passed away on Nov. 13, 2025, after a period of declining health.

Born on Oct. 31, 1950, he was educated at St. Peter’s Catholic School and graduated from Bishop Brady High School. During his senior year, Paul began working at the Concord Theatre (now the Bank of New Hampshire Stage), assisting the late Theresa Cantin, manager, and he remained there for decades. His experiences and his fondness for the cinema are recounted in his book, "The Concord Theatre; And Concord's Love Affair with the Movies," published in 2019.

Other local employers include NH Department of Motor Vehicles, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of New Hampshire, Concord Group Insurance, and the Concord Monitor. He also qualified as a paralegal and worked for Manchester law firms. In the early 1990s, in Los Angeles, he held a position in the network and sales department at CBS Television. On his return to Concord, he volunteered and worked for several AIDS support organizations, eventually producing several star-studded benefit fundraisers for A Community Resource Network (ACORN), AIDS Response Seacoast, Merrimack Valley Assistance Program, and Granite State Symphony Orchestra.

Paul cherished his close friendship with Doris Day, which began with a youthful fan letter. His circle of celebrity friends and acquaintances grew throughout his life, and he repeatedly invited Carol Channing and singer Patti Page to perform at New Hampshire fundraisers. He was famous for his delightfully accurate Katharine Hepburn impression — which he performed for the actress herself at her New York apartment. He took pride in his rendition of Peter Pan’s song “I Gotta Crow,” complete with rooster sounds, perfected when he performed the role in Massachusetts.

A gifted and dedicated pianist, taught by his mother, Paul played and sang at regular summer gigs in Ogunquit, Maine, and in recent years at area elder care facilities. In his youth, he appeared onstage with the Concord Community Players. His writing talent resulted in the publication of three highly acclaimed nonfiction books — "Was That A Name I Dropped?," published in 2011, the Concord Theatre book, and “A Sprinkling of Stardust Over the Outhouse: Musings, Memories, Madness and Pillow Talk!,” released in 2022. In 2014, he received the New Hampshire Press Association Award for contributions to Concord Patch. Paul hosted “Downtown Dialogues” on WKXL radio and later created “Capital Area Chats” for Concord Community TV. A popular instructor at the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI), he taught over 50 courses focusing on Hollywood films, movie stars of the past, musicals, and “Growing Up Catholic.”

Although his service in the United States Navy ended with an honorable discharge, he unfailingly attended Veterans Day observations at Bishop Brady High School.

Survivors include his beloved husband, Alan Jesseman, and his mother, Clara M. Brogan, both of Concord, and a niece, Martha Coss of Ohio. Paul was predeceased by his father Edward J. Brogan, his sister Nancy Bailey, and his devoted dachshund Cappy.

In lieu of flowers, donations in honor of Paul Brogan may be made to Bishop Brady High School. There will be no services at this time. A memorial celebration of his life will take place at a later date.