Brian Arthur Cogan

Dr. Brian Cogan of Brooklyn, Associate Professor at Molloy College,passed away in his home on August 28th. Brian was raised in Staten Island, where he attended Monsignor Farrell High School and received his BA from St. John’s University. Brian received his MA and PhD. in Media Ecology at NYU under the mentorship of Neil Postman, who was also his doctoral thesis advisor. It was at NYU that he met the love of his life, Lisa Bocchini.

Dr. Cogan taught Media Studies/Communications at NYU, the College of Staten Island, and Molloy University, where he became an Associate Professor. Dr. Cogan authored and co-wrote more than 10 books, including the Encyclopedia of Punk Rock, Monty Python FAQ, Deconstructing South Park, The Encyclopedia of Heavy Metal, and most recently, Six Seasons and a Movie: How Community Broke Television. His books could be found in bookstores, museum gift shops, including at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Queens Museum, in the England Pavillion at EPCOT, and on rapper Chuck D’s bookshelf, where Brian’s Punk Rock Encyclopedia was prominently displayed. He was also a creative fiction and screenplay writer. He was an avid reader and collector of books, including comic books.

Perhaps more importantly, he was a caring and engaging teacher, and became a mentor and lifelong friend to many of his students. His teaching philosophy was about engaging students in dialogue and teaching them how to think, not simply lecturing to them.

He was a member of several academic associations and is a former President of the Media Ecology Association. He wrote academic papers on a wide range of media and cultural topics and was on many panels at conferences held by the National Communications Association, Popular Culture Association, and the International Communications Association. As a youth, Brian was an active member of the community who engaged in volunteer work through the OLGC CYO and Scout Troop 26, where he earned his Eagle Scout rank.

Brian was the drummer and singer in several punk bands including the Plaster Commandos, Fast Food, and finally In Crowd for over 30 years, playing shows at venues throughout New York City, including CBGB’s, ABC No Rio, and Neri’s Place. He also sang traditional Irish folk and Pogues songs with The Cogan Brothers and Mark Farley every St. Patrick’s season, commemorating his Irish heritage.

He was a music fan of all genres, attending hundreds of live shows over the decades. He made friends wherever he went and will be remembered for his generosity, his kindness, his love of conversation, sense of humor and, last but not least, his love of the New York Mets.

He and Lisa loved to travel. Paris was a favorite destination, but they also loved going to Ireland and the U.K. to visit friends and family, along with other destinations, including Japan, and to their summer cottage in Eagles Mere, PA.

He is survived by his wife, Lisa Bocchini, his mother, Ann M. Cogan of Staten Island, brother Joe Cogan and wife, Amy, brother Sean Cogan and wife Diane Federico Cogan, nephew (and godson) Gavin Cogan and niece, Cara Cogan, along with his cousins.

A wake will be held at Casey Funeral Home on Staten Island on Tuesday, September 1st with the funeral to follow on Wednesday, September 2nd at St. Teresa’s Catholic Church.