James 'Jim' Patrick Regan

James (Jim) Patrick Regan , age 79, passed away on Sunday, June 11, 2023, at the Hospice Care Center in Copley. Jim began life as the youngest member of his family and was the last surviving member of his generation. He was preceded in death by his parents James Patrick, Sr. and Helen Thuran, and his beloved siblings, Molly Mahoney, Michael Regan, and his twin brother Patrick Regan, all of whom resided in Scranton, PA. At age 22, Jim enlisted in the US army and was mostly stationed in Germany from 1966-1970, where he made lifelong friends who became family. On St. Patrick’s Day in 1972, he met his wife Sheila at O’Toole’s and seven months later they married, and moved from Scranton, PA to Detroit, MI. In 1976, Jim and Sheila moved to Fairlawn and made the community their home. Jim was an avid golfer, custom golf club maker for his friends, and always golfed several times a week. He enjoyed taking over the organizing of his informal friend’s league for many years. While he enjoyed golfing with nearly anyone, his favorite golf buddies that became best friends were Ishmail and Larry. He had a lifelong career in construction as a chief estimator and project manager. He was known for speaking only when he had something to say, promptly leaving the office for the day at 5pm - even in the middle of a meeting, developing new software and smarter ways to do business and giving it away to colleagues at other companies, and never owning a cell phone. He thoroughly enjoyed his work and purposely did not retire until he was 75, spending his last 25 working years with Welty Building Company. Projects he was particularly proud of included Sherwin Williams Headquarters, Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company Headquarters, Akron Art Museum, Akron Zoo, and the Akron Urban League.

Jim leaves behind his wife of 50 years, Sheila; his daughter Tara Regan Patterson (James); his favorite person and granddaughter Mia Lane Patterson; and several close nieces and nephews. We would like to thank the entire Cleveland Clinic Hospice Care Center team that cared for Jim and our family. These individuals are kindness and empathy personified. We are forever grateful to them for their care of the most special husband, father, and papa.

Cremation has taken place and Memorial Visitation will take place on Sunday, June 18, 2023, from 2-4pm at Billows Funeral Home, 85 N. Miller Road, Fairlawn, OH 43333.

Jim was very philanthropic and donated to several charities throughout the Akron area. In lieu of flowers, if you want to honor Jim’s memory, please donate to the Justin T. Rogers Hospice Care Center. ( www.my.clevelandclinic.org )

Services in care of The Billow Funeral Homes & Crematory, Fairlawn Chapel, 85 N Miller Road  Akron, OH  44333.