O’Regan: Joseph Walter.
Peacefully at Simcoe Manor Long Term Care Beeton, on Thursday June 15th, 2017. Joe O’Regan in his 83rd year, was born in Turner Valley, Alberta, in the mid thirties. The family moved around in the oil fields and eventually settled in Yorkton, Saskatchewan. He joined the Royal Canadian Navy and after five years went to St. Michael’s College, at U of T. He became a high school teacher and a principal. He is pre-deceased by his beloved wife Margaret. His survivors include his brother Robert, nephews Mark, David and their mother Brenda O’Regan, Paul Tough, and niece Reverend Susan Tough.
Service will be the Catholic Mass at St. James Church, Colgan on Tuesday June 20th, 2017, at 11:00 am, followed by interment in St. James Cemetery, Colgan. No flowers, prayers for the souls of the deceased. Donations in Joe’s memory to the Saint Vincent de Paul Society would be appreciated by the family. Arrangements entrusted to Rod Abrams Funeral Home, Tottenham, 905-936-3477. www.RodAbramsFuneralHome.com
Mary McDonald says
After retiring from the TDSB a few years ago, I’ve recently returned to Porter as a supply teacher and fondly remember Joe as the wonderful principal who in 1992, when I was new to teaching and surplus to the board, gave me a safe place to land at Porter in their English Dept. I don’t think I’ve seen a principal so beloved by staff and students. Students would cheer him loudly in a school assembly. He made us laugh in staff meetings. I was blessed to have him early in my career as a principal and have always appreciated his kindness and example.
Brian O'Sullivan says
One of my favourite teachers. We appreciated his generosity – inviting grade 13 students to his farm and enjoying Margaret’s delicious baked beans. We’d skip a lot of classes in the 70s but not Joe’s. He was a wonderful story teller with a beautiful rich voice. He included ‘Lord of the Rings’ in his curriculum – VERY appropriate in the 70s. He will always be remembered !
Gil Hardy says
I just discovered this and even three years later, it makes me sad. Mr. O’Regan was a fantastic teacher who opened up new vistas for me and others in Grade 13 at Wilfrid Laurier Collegiate in 1969. He was a lovely, warm and very funny man. He’s meant a lot to me as I went on in life. Sorely missed.
Cheryl MacMurchy says
Joe was with my Mom up until her death and by her side until September 11, 1992. He was one of my favourite people in the world, and made my mom very happy. I miss him.
Jackie Ward says
If this is the same Joe O’Regan who also taught English at Winston Churchill Collegiate in Scarborough, he was my favourite teacher of all time! Judging from the other tributes, it has got to be! He was funny, compassionate, informal yet effective, and changed the way I see the world. Absolutely wonderful man. I’m now 72 years old, living in Nova Scotia, and still think of him fondly on a regular basis.
Paul Longo says
As a student , Joe was a teacher that seemed to me to be happy in the simple things in life , ( drove in on his
pickup truck from his farm is Sunderland ) , and regarded Toronto as ” Fat City “. He later became principal at Porter CI. and he is the only portrait with a bunch of students beside him ( not the typical close up ) . He had the best smile . I still keep in regular contact ( as well as other former students ) with another English department teacher Frank Petruzella , who I’m sure had been influenced by Joe’s passion .
Possibly hired by Joe , and John Anderson , Principal at Leacock .
Marg (Peachman) Lebel says
Like others here, Mr. O’Regan was one of my very favourite teachers. Irreverent, funny, smart, and very kind. He took the time to really teach us how to support a thesis, which has served me well through many years. Thank you to his family for sharing him with his students.
Flora Doehler says
Joe was a kind, generous, witty man who saw the irony in all situations. I worked with him at Porter CI where he encouraged me to enroll in distance ed classes via Waterloo U, which I did for 10 years until I got a BA. He was truly a man of the people. The rubber chicken that he kept in an ornamental tree in his office was a great interview icebreaker too. The world has lost a true Mensch. xo
Michelle Barraclough says
You never what to say at a time like this, other than Joe will be missed. I worked with Joe at W. A. Porter C.I. He had the ability to cut through to the heart of the matter with kindness and he instilled joy in all who worked with him. Joe was the only principal I worked with who actually make a staff meeting enjoyable. No job was to small including bringing the coffee
to the meetings. Joe rest in peace and I am sure you have them chuckling in the aisles! My condolences to his family.
Allison Grimley says
As I read through the tributes Joe, I quickly realize that you continued on in your senior years to be the quick witted, intelligent,friendly man, full of great surprises, that you always were in your younger years.
I will miss your great stories Joe Joe. Even though at times, you couldn’t always say exactly what you were thinking, I somehow knew just what you mean’t.
Room #354 just will never be the same my friend .. you were one of a kind!
I do take great comfort that you are now at peace and in a better place.
Heaven has gained a special one. xo
Marie & Ken Gannon says
Ken & I are from Nova Scotia and met Joe through Tracey and Shaun Gannon. We grew to love and appreciate him through the years. Loved his stories and knowledge of history. Your suffering is over and rest now Joe in the arms of Jesus.
Cal Francis says
Joe was a terrific guy: erudite , had a great sense of humour and was an exceptional orator. In the years that I worked with him at W.A. Porter C.I, I never once saw him get angry at anyone. He will be sorely missed by those who knew him. Condolences to his family.
George Sinclair says
Joe or as some knew him, Myron C. Plimsol esq, a good friend and travel companion, a doer of good in many different ways, who endured more unhappy or unpleasant events than he seemed to deserve. We walked on Chine’s Great Wall, sailed it’s mighty river and Vietname’s great river, saw Tokyo without getting lost. Now I shed tears as I put together a few words to say I have lost a friend, but he is now at peace with God.
Gary McNeill says
Joe was an absolute gem of a person to work with and know as a friend. As a mentor he taught me how to deal with current issues and at the same time how to stay grounded and always look at the bigger picture. His advice was never without humour, empathy and wisdom. I often think of Joe while driving through the countryside which he loved so much.
Donna Douglas says
Mr. O’Regan was my absolute most FAVOURITE teacher ever! He inspired me and encouraged me to become a teacher myself. I’ve thought of him often in the many years since I was in his class(es). Rest in Peace Dear Man!
Janet Dalziel says
Joe made me laugh every day I worked with him. He seemed to approach every part of his job with an eye to skewering whatever was pompous or absurd. He lead through empathy and humour, telling stories, mostly self-deprecating, that cut through the nonsense to get to the real lesson.Rest in peace.
Eleanor Chapple says
So sorry to hear about Joe. Such an interesting, kind, and humorous man. A really good, brave,man.
Lorne Hicks says
In the fall of 1970 Joe hired me for a job in the English department at Stephen Leacock C.I. Years later, he confided that his decision was largely based upon hearing the new Abbey Road album playing in the background during our phone
conversation. This was classic Joe O’Regan: humorous, empathetic, and above all, kind.
Brian O'Sullivan says
You were also an excellent teacher Lorne – the only one at Leacock (including those in the music department) to encourage me in my music which I persist with to this day. (It was a small incident for you maybe but a big one for me – I was practising classical guitar in a hallway at Leacock (the music department wouldn’t let me use a practice room as I wasn’t in band). You stopped to listen and asked what my goals for life were. I said “music’ and you said “You should do that.” I went on to get a degree in music at York and taught in Scarborough for 30 years (running bands, recorder groups, etc.). I still am active playing and performing. Your words of encouragement meant the world to me then and now. Thank you !
Bernie Eagan says
So sorry to hear of Joe’s death but he is now in a far better place . No more suffering and reunited with his beloved Margaret . I am sorry to miss his Funeral Mass as I am still in Ireland .
Joe was such a widely travelled man and full of so many stories . A gracious , kindhearted man who took joy in serving others . May he rest in peace . Bernie
Mary Shaughnessy says
Joe was a very special person in intelligence,wit and humour. He was a good friend. I last saw him in August 2016. In spite of his failing health, he managed to call up significant events in my life. God be with him.