Cynthia Brogan

CYNTHIA M. “CINDY” BROGAN, aged 57 years, loving mother of John Brogan, devoted daughter of Paul and the late Stefania (nee Wasik), cherished sister of Paul-David, Larry and Don, fond aunt to Christopher, cherished partner of John O’Neill and treasured friend to many. In lieu of flowers, contributions in memory of Cindy suggested to www.gofundme.com/cindy-brogan for a college and start up fund for John Brogan.

Cindy Brogan of Cleveland Heights, Ohio died Monday, August 31, 2015 at The David Simpson House of the Hospice of the Western Reserve, according to her son John Brogan. She was 57.

Cynthia Marie Brogan was born on May 3, 1958 in Louisville, Ohio, the daughter of Paul Brogan and the late Stefania (née Wasik). She and her three brothers, Paul David, Lawrence John, and Donald, grew up on the 70-acre Brogan Family farm. Upon graduating from Louisville High School, she attended Case Western Reserve University, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting (Class of 1980). She worked as a Senior Accountant CPA for Arthur Anderson & Co., and returned to CWRU’s Weatherhead School of Management for her Master’s Degree in Business Administration in Marketing, which she completed in 1985.

Her career in the biotechnology industry began with the formation of University Technologies, Inc. at CWRU. She was instrumental in launching the Cleveland Center of Excellence in Functional Electronic Stimulation (FES) Technology at CWRU in 1991, now one of the largest multi-sector consortia in the U.S. In the 1990s, she served as Director of Business Formation for the Edison Biotechnology Center (now BioEnterprise), and went on to form a number of start-up companies. In 2006, she founded OsteoSymbionics, Inc. and, as CEO, led their manufacture and distribution of custom craniofacial implants.

As a single mother of John Mackenzie, she was most proud of her son, currently a student at CWRU. Her love of gardening and the outdoors influenced her son, who recently completed a book, In Reflection of Nature, a retrospective of his childhood experiences on the Brogan Family farm and more recent solo backpacking treks through the national parks.

She lived in Cleveland Heights for over 20 years, where she was active as a Ruffing Montessori parent. Many neighbors became loyal friends, drawn to her by her charismatic personality – always upbeat and caring, while being a bold thinker, undaunted by convention. She died of metastatic breast cancer, first contracted in 2001, which recurred in 2013. Her numerous loyal and devoted friends and family supported her daily throughout her heroic battle with this disease.

She is survived by her father, her three brothers, and her beloved nephew, Christopher, 27. She was also close to her nephew Eric, deceased.

Celebration of Life Service Saturday, Sept. 5, 2015 at the funeral home at 3 PM. (Reception following) Family will receive friends to pay tribute and celebrate the life of Cindy at THE DeJOHN-FLYNN-MYLOTT FUNERAL HOME OF SOUTH EUCLID, 4600 MAYFIELD RD. (just East of Green Rd.) SATURDAY 1 PM UNTIL TIME OF SERVICE.