Obituary of Donald Leonard Regan
We are saddened to announce the passing of Donald Leonard Regan on August 9, 2025. Don was the middle of 3 children born to Frank Regan and Annie (Dennison).
Donald is survived by his sister Anita Regan (Milton Graves), nieces Margaret and Carolyn Graves (Kevin Hallam), great-niece Eleanor Hallam and great-nephew James Hallam.
In addition to his parents, Donald was predeceased by his brother, Bob.
Don was born in Wolfville, living as a baby above the Wolfville Fruit Company, then at the opposite end of town on Hillcrest Ave, in a house built by his father under the Federal Wartime Housing Corporation plan. Despite Don’s personal disinterest in formal schooling, he excelled in school at math. He attended Acadia University for one year before dropping out. However, he was an avid reader of both fiction and nonfiction and developed significant knowledge in many fields including electrical engineering, ecology, philosophy and political science among others. Much of his mis-spent youth was at The Palms Lunch playing pool.
Don worked in Toronto for years, installing swimming pools. In 1973 he returned to live in Nova Scotia and became a lineman with NS Power in 1979. He moved to the Berwick Electric Commission where he worked for 46 years, becoming Superintendent of the Electric Commission in 1983 and ultimately the CAO of the Town of Berwick.
Don was an avid outdoorsman. He loved nature and abhorred the environmental destruction caused by modern society. Whether canoeing inland waterways, sailing the briny, or walking in the silent, deep woods, it was there he found peace and harmony. He was active in the Nova Scotia Woodlot Owners Association in the 1980s and 90s.
In both personal and professional capacities, Don was always first in line to help. A visionary leader and dedicated colleague, he was the 30-year catalyst for collaboration among the Nova Scotia municipal electric utilities. As the long-time superintendent of the Berwick Electric Commission, his thoughtful insight at numerous regulatory proceedings earned him wide respect. Don inspired dozens of colleagues and leaves a legacy of community-owned clean energy through the Berwick Electric Commission, the formation of AREA, the Ellershouse Wind Farm and the Three Community Solar Gardens. These projects are a realization of his belief in equitable access to renewable energy. His expertise, enthusiasm and good nature will be sorely missed.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Thursday, September 18, 2 to 4 pm in the Berwick and District Lions Club, 250 Veterans Drive, Berwick.. Memorial donations may be made to a charity of your choice. Arrangements have been entrusted to Serenity Funeral Home, 198 Coldbrook Village Park Drive, Coldbrook, NS. (902) 679-2822.
