Leominster Champion Leominster, MA
Friday, January 26th, 2007
Gil N. Progen, 78 Was longtime manager and editor of Review Publications LEOMINSTER -
Gil N. Progen, 78, of Leominster, died Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2007, at his home, after a battle with cancer. He was born on Dec. 25, 1928, in Cleveland Ohio, the son of Gilbert E. and Mabel (Bruce) Progen. He attended Fitchburg schools and was a 1947 graduate Fitchburg High School. He briefly attended Fitchburg Teacher's College, and studied at Leland Powers School of Broadcasting in Boston. Mr. Progen was a member of the United States Army, 1946 -- 1947, participating in the Occupation Forces in Japan, 24th Div., Hq., Kokura, Japan. He worked in retail management from 1948 until 1955, when he joined Radio Station WFGM as Continuity Director, later Assistant General Manager of Radio Stations WFGL/WFMP. During this period he also operated Gil Progen Advertising Services. In 1965, he became co-founder/co-owner of Review Publications, publishers of the Montachusett Review, the Gardner Review, and the Leominster Review, serving as General Manager and Editor for over 23 years. In 1975, he became co-founder/co-owner and President of Guaranteed Distribution Systems, distributor of Review Publications, advertising materials, and product . After selling both corporations in 1988, he joined the Asterisk Radio Group in Florida as Programming Specialist at stations WMAR/WCTQ, retiring in 1991 because of health reasons. In retirement, he worked for several years at Shack's Clothing, Fitchburg. He was a member of Independent Papers of America, the Community Papers of New England, the National Association of Publishers, the Society of Professional Journalists -- Sigma Delta Chi. He was a former Board Member of the Fitchburg Rotary Club, a member of the Venice (FL) Rotary Club, former member of the Central Mass. Chamber of Commerce, former member of the Fay Club, and a member of the American Legion. He was a former member of the Stratton Players, the Leom-Rec Players, the Fitchburg Library Theater Arts Group, and the Shirley Players. He had also appeared in productions at Guy Palmerton's Whalom Playhouse. He especially loved jazz and dixieland music. He leaves a legacy of original songs and plays to his children. Mr. Progen leaves his companion of 15 years, Gail Bloom; three sisters, Janice Progen of Urbana, IL, Kathy Progen-Leblanc and husband David Leblanc of Gardner, Debra (Progen) Baker of Fitchburg; three daughters, Islene Runningdeer and husband Donnie Wilcox of Chelsea, Vt., Michelle Roche and husband Dan Roche of Townsend, and Lisa Jae of Harborside, Maine; two sons, Michael Progen and wife Meri, of Venice, Fla., and Christopher Progen and wife Jayne of Leominster; his former wife, Doris (Leger) Progen, of Leominster, the mother of his children; his granddaughters, Tawnya Kristen, Sihaya Hopkins, Kendal Hopkins, Chelsea Hopkins, Kipp Hopkins, and Marnie Roche; his grandsons, Thomas Roche and Colin Progen; step-grandsons, Jerry Marcoux, Joshua Marcoux, and Robert Marcoux; and several nieces, nephews, and great-grandchildren. He was pre-deceased by his beloved sister, Dorothy (Young) Jordan and her husband James Jordan, both formerly of Leominster; by brothers, Thomas Progen of Westminster, and Jerry Young; and by his former wife, Ruth Progen and step-daughter, Janine Marcoux. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Diversified Hospice Program, 25 Tucker Drive, Leominster, MA 01453, attn. Ellen Gayle. A memorial service will be planned for an upcoming date.