It is with great sorrow we announce the passing of our dear, courageous son Desmond on Dec. 27, 2019.
Born in Oakville, Ontario, Oct. 15, 1960, to proud parents Daniel and Anne Marie Regehr (nee Brennan). A brother to Heather (Mark Williams), Diane Haliski (Mark Holmes) and Teresa Regehr, attentive father to Cody and Bailey (Aaron Charles), ADORED grandpa to Lana, Eamonn and Aine, loving uncle to Devin Coppola, Noel Haliski, Cassidy Regehr and step-neice Tara Haliski. Cherished nephew to Kathleen Sharpe, Terry Brennan and Susie Regehr. Predeceased by Hannah Granger, Irma Anderson and Michael, Harry and Dennis Brennan.
Des grew up in Niagara-on-the-Lake, attending Parliament Oak School, NDSS and Mohawk College.
His love of mechanics brought him to Newark Motors (now Timmy’s) where he apprenticed and worked for many years. He was an extremely hands-on fellow, flipping houses and running a Snap-On Tool business, later driving the city bus for St. Catharines and doing computer repair.
Desmond married Wendy Sexsmith in 1983. They had two children, Cody and Bailey, to whom Des was a conscientious and devoted father. He instilled in them strong morals, healthy lifestyle habits and a robust sense of humour.
Tragically at age 35, Desmond suffered a spinal cord injury, leaving him to live out the next 24 years as a quadriplegic with limited function. On Feb. 14, 1997, we were humbled by the outpouring of support from our community as we all “opened our hearts to Des” at a fundraiser at the NOTL Court House.
The family would like once again to thank all of you who so graciously donated your time and efforts to making the event the epic success it was, providing Des the necessities to move forward.
… friends, neighours, relatives, town residents, many local musicians, St. Andrew’s Church, the Rotary Club, and numerous local businesses. Thank you!
Known as a prankster and the life of the party, Des was also very meticulous and always had his ducks in a row. He initiated, hosted and documented countless family reunions, before and after his injury, keeping us close to many cousins and extended family.
Family meant the world to Des. He will be dearly missed and fondly remembered.
A private burial with family will take place at St. Andrew’s on Jan. 11, followed by a celebration of Des’ life at the Niagara-on-the-Lake Sailing Club for close friends and family of Des.
In lieu of flowers, donations to Spinal Cord Injury Research of Ontario would be appreciated. https://sciontario.org
