Donald-Regan-Obituary

Donald J. Regan

Wallkill, New York

About

LOCATION
Wallkill, New York

Obituary

Keeping Tabs on Family

The post office people in Pine Bush, N.Y., knew Donald Regan well. Every Saturday, he mailed parcels to the two of his four children who did not live nearby. He took requests: an old pair of baseball cleats; the spaghetti sauce he and his wife made and canned; money. Sometimes just a letter. He had always kept close tabs on his family. "If there were four sporting events at one time, he would be there for an inning of each game," said his son Shane.

Donald Regan was a firefighter from Rescue Company 3, a 17-year veteran who knew every tool and was considered fearless by his squad mates. His sleep was so deep that he had to fall asleep in the firehouse kitchen so the alarm would wake him, and he was famous for drifting off in the most contorted positions.

"He was the consummate blue-collar person," Shane Regan said. "He worked until he couldn't work any more. He made sure everybody else was taken care of." For his drive to work, his son added, he would buy clunkers with at least 100,000 miles. "My dad was famous for having nasty cars. He called them classics." But with his brood out of the house, he had bought himself a 2001 Chrysler Sebring, and he washed it as if that were his paying job. "He finally broke down and said, `Now I'm going to do something for myself.' "

Guest Book

Not sure what to say?

Friends of Donnie----- Here is a TRUE Story that few know about the Donnie Regan--we knew---- In Little Flower Parish on Ave D- Brooklyn------- We had Punch ball games after School. There would be a bunch of classmates in the schoolyard------ One Day--- While we were in the field playing punchball-- 2 other classmates "borrowed" our bikes and brought them back- All Banged Up from playing "Chickie"with them----Donnie(then a 7th grader) walked over to the 2 classmates and told them--FLAT OUT...

I never had the privilege to know you. But I knew your daughter years ago so I know you were a great man and father without knowing of the sacrifice you made for us all. I have told my children about you as well as my wife and I am honored that I knew a small part of your world

With our continued sincere sympathy we send this message to your family. May God keep and comfort you with each new day. Donald touched the lives of many others and will always be remembered fondly. May these acts of violence that have caused so much heartache finally end.

We miss you Dad. Your 12 grandchildren will know who you were and how much you would have enjoyed and loved them. There will never be a day I dont think of you and wish you were here. I know your smiling down on all of us. 18 years you are gone but the day you were taken away feels like yesterday. Love you.

Peggy and I went to the Memorial Service here in The Villages, first time we were not in NYC to honor you and all the other first responders and lost lives. We miss you and never forget.

I wore my bracelet that has your name on it yesterday. Thought of you all day long. Ultimate sacrifice. I'll never forget. ❤

Thought of you yesterday, Donald. The memories keep you ever present.

As the years pass it never gets easier, will never forget you brother, I'll see you at last call, love to you and yours.

From the 9/11 memorial