OAKLAND PARK—Bruce Bogan, the original owner of Copy This print shop, has died of cardiac arrest after a long fight with heart disease. He was 53.
Bogan had previously had a massive heart attack and underwent corrective surgery in February of 2012 at Broward General Hospital, where he had a valve blockage removed and a stent implanted to support his heart function.
Bruce Bogan was a native of Brooklyn, New York, where he ran a successful printing enterprise before relocating his business to Wilton Manors in 2001. Originally called Planet Express, the business rebranded itself as Copy This in 2007, and became a staple on Wilton Drive.
In 2010, Bogan was given the “Keeping the Drive Alive Business of the Quarter Recognition Award” by the Wilton Manors’ Main Street Association.
At the time, Bogan said, “”My grandfather was a printer, my father was a printer, and I’ve been doing this ever since I was 19. I’m just going to keep going until you get used to me.”
In November, 2011, Bogan won the grand prize in the first “Dancing with the South Florida Stars” dancing competition, the annual fund-raising event for the Brian Neal Fitness and Health Foundation HIV charity.
MMP founder and CEO Bobby Blair remembers Bruce as “a very close friend to Brian and I. He invited our media business to Wilton Drive so we could work together, share office space and provide his incredible talents to help us produce our magazines and newspapers with his amazing creativity and genuine good spirit.
“It was at a time when we really needed help, and I will forever appreciate, admire and be thankful to Bruce that he was in my life. His spirit will be with me forever. Brian and I extend our warm condolences to Billy Sand who we have watched love, encourage and help Bruce over the past few very difficult years. Billy’s love and commitment to Bruce was a wonderful thing to watch as they together showed all of us what true love really is.”
Bogan is survived by his life partner Billy Sand, owner of Diner-By-The Sea restaurant. A memorial service in Bogan’s honor will be held on Monday, February 9, 6 pm at the Pride Center at Equality Park, 2040 North Dixie Highway, Wilton Manors, FL 33305. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Pride Center in memory of Bruce Bogan.
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