WESTFIELD – Thomas Francis Regan, Sr. (81) passed away on September 2nd, 2024, Labor Day, at home with his loving children and their spouses by his side.
Tom grew up in Westfield, MA as the eldest of nine siblings. He spent his childhood in a multigenerational home with family always nearby. He graduated from Westfield High School in 1961. After graduation, he began working at the Old Colony Envelope Company and started a family. He was deeply involved in his community and proud of his Irish heritage, having visited Ireland a few times with friends and family. He also played a role in establishing The Sons of Erin as a charter member of the club. While raising his family, Tom managed the third shift at work while also driving a school bus during the day. He was a loving, devoted father and a hardworking man of his time. Tom retired from Old Colony after 36 years of dedicated service. During his tenure, he traveled extensively across the country and to Germany to facilitate training sessions on the company’s behalf. After his time at Old Colony, Tom began a new career at the Westfield Housing Authority, where he worked for 15 years. He had great mechanical ability and was often found working on cars, completing household repairs, or lending a helping hand to family and friends. Tom could fix anything!
Tom leaves behind his two loving children: daughter Regina (Regan) Kelleher and her husband Timothy Kelleher, and son Thomas Regan, Jr. and his wife Heather (Wilder) Regan. Tom was born to the late Daniel and Elizabeth “Betty Ann” (Hoar) Regan.
He was predeceased by his brother Kevin Regan and is survived by siblings Terry Regan (Georgie), Joanne Podolski (Don), Mary, Gerry, Mike, Chris Regan (Fran), Kate Wailgum (Brian), along with many nieces and nephews. He leaves his pride and joy: five grandchildren, Allison (Kelleher) Sullivan, Ryan Regan, Daniel, Frank, and Timothy Kelleher. “Grandpa Regan” also adored his role as a loving great-grandfather. Tom was always there for his family and attended multiple events, from school celebrations to sports games or dance recitals, always with a camcorder on his shoulder or a camera in his lap.
Some of Tom’s favorite pastimes included dining out or preparing meals to share, vacationing on the Cape, hitting the road with his RV, attending car races at Watkins Glen, Lime Rock, Loudon, and going to NASCAR events. Tom had a kind and generous heart and a wonderful sense of humor. He was always a strong support to others. He was a fiercely independent man who faced living his adult life with Multiple Sclerosis and experienced further health complications after a stroke. His perseverance through these challenges was an inspiration to those who knew him. Tom’s family would like to thank Baystate Hospice for their support.
Tom will be missed dearly by his family and friends. A private gathering will be held to celebrate his life. In lieu of flowers, the family is asking for donations to the Prader-Willi Association (https://www.pwsausa.org/get-involved/donate/) to support the recent diagnosis of his great-granddaughter.
