Last Saturday, I attended a memorial service for Raymond Brogan of Lake Havasu City, held at Mudshark Public House and Brewery. The owner of this popular business — Scott Stocking — was gracious enough to offer a portion of his restaurant for the special remembrance ceremony at no charge. It’s great to see business people giving back to the community like that.
The turnout was exceptional — with approximately 80 of Ray’s family, friends, and business associates in attendance. Some traveled from as far away as New Zealand. I learned at this service for the first time — that Ray belonged to a Los Angeles motorcycle club called, “The Barbarians.” I didn’t even know he was into motorcycles. Raymond also was associated with the local Havasu MC club, “Desert Warriors.”
A fellow club member told attendees at Ray’s memorial, just how much Brogan loved riding with them and that he considered the members all good friends instead of just club members. Ray looked forward to more two-wheeled excursions and social get-togethers with these guys and gals before falling ill.
Ray and his wife Lisa are from New Zealand, having moved to Arizona several years ago. He loved his former country with all of his heart, yet America was his beloved new home. Rugby was Ray’s favorite sport, with him and Lisa attending games with fellow “Kiwis” whenever the “All Blacks” New Zealand national rugby team was playing in the U.S.
Raymond had recently started his own business called Keeping Havasu Cool. A Master HVAC —there was nothing about heating and air conditioning that the man didn’t know. I relied on his expertise several times as did other friends and strangers.
Ray Brogan helped numerous folks in the community with their AC problems, often without charging them. Ray was truly one of those folks who’d give you the shirt off his back.
Perhaps Ray was best known for hosting the ice rink at London Bridge Resort each winter and for opening an enclosed rink on McCulloch Boulevard. He was “The Man” where making ice happen in our warm desert oasis is concerned. Some folks called him “Ice Rink Ray” while others honorably referred to him as “Iceman.”
“Today’s New’s-Herald” reporter, Brandon Messick, wrote an informative story six years ago about Ray building an outside ice rink in this city. This archived article, published on November 23, 2018, is titled, “An ice day for skating.” It mentions Ray’s unique challenges in keeping water frozen when the winter temperature hits an abnormal 90 degrees Fahrenheit.
Ray Brogan loved to see children in Havasu ice skating and often allowed the less fortunate to skate for free. Ray was known by many folks as “The Havasu Iceman.”
In Lubbock, Texas, where I learned to roller skate as a kid, some parents labeled us, “Rink Rats.” In Anchorage, Alaska, where I frequented public outdoor ice rinks during winter along with friends, we were called the same. I’m sure Lake Havasu City has a few rink rats of its own thanks to Ray and Lisa’s efforts.
When Ray was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, this coming after several misdiagnoses, sadly, he only lived six weeks before passing away. There was no time to get affairs in order before he was gone, leaving Lisa to finish the difficult and arduous job.
As a microphone was being passed around at his memorial service for people to offer up remembrances, I thought long and hard on something to say. There was so much I could’ve offered in paying my last respects, yet chose something that I wasn’t sure would be deemed acceptable by folks I didn’t know — especially Ray’s family and friends from New Zealand.
Ray had a dry sense of humor that was over the top. Quick-witted, it oftentimes took me a few minutes for his ‘off the cuff’ comments to finally sink in — and on one occasion — it wasn’t until the following day.
While my wife and I were dining with Ray and Lisa, along with four other friends at a popular Italian restaurant, I asked the talented man, “How can I tell if my air conditioner is putting out to capacity?” Ray’s reply was instantaneous and to the point, informing me with a straight face, “By how loud it moans.”
Being a naïve guy, and not knowing what he meant, the comment flew straight over my head until a lightbulb finally turned on some 24 hours later. Only then did I start laughing.
The Barbarians Motorcycle Club is raffling off Ray’s 2008 Harley Davidson XL with all proceeds going to Lisa Brogan, Ray’s widow. She incurred a significant medical debt and is in great need of financial assistance here.
Tickets are $50 each and are available at Gear Up Motorsports located at 308 London Bridge Road. Contact Anthony at (928) 680-9100 for more information. They can also be purchased at Mustang Sallys located at 91 London Bridge Road.
Ray Brogan is going to be sorely missed in our city, yet he left behind a legacy that very few if any will ever claim. He was responsible for planting seeds of joy within area youth, showing them how much fun can be had with a simple pair of ice skates while gliding along on top of frozen Arizona water.
Ray will always be known to many local kids including parents as, “The Havasu Iceman.” I’m sure he’s looking down right now — quite proud of his many accomplishments!
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