The death has occurred in Australia of the well-known Galway showband singer John Regan. A former resident of Woodfield, Cappagh Road John E Regan passed away in the Gold Coast, Australia last Sunday.
Born in London, he lived on and off between Ireland and Queensland Australia with his Irish wife Kate Regan (nee Ruddy ) Westport.
'Shaking up the scene'
John who was 84, was the lead singer in the showband ‘Johnny Reagan and the Tumbleweeds’ who were very successful in the UK as a country band in the 1960s, working alongside Tammy Wynette and Willie Nelson.
He was approached to shake up the Irish showband scene and reformed his band to great success in the Irish showband era of the 70s. He moved from Ireland to Australia with his Irish wife Kay where they stayed for 25 years and raised two sons.
John continued honing his talents entertaining audiences as a musician, as an accomplished film and TV and theatre actor and was was also a gifted artist.
'Eternal optimist'
He returned to Woodfield in 2000 and while here was passionately involved in the Galway music and acting circle. He was also an active member of Galway Toastmasters.
He always had a great fondness for Galway, particularly Barna Woods and Silverstrand beach where he took his daily walks while living here.
His family said that John was an eternal optimist and always inspired his family friends with his lust for life right up to his last breath. He will be dearly missed by his in-laws and friends in Ireland and his loving family — wife Kay, sons Jonathan, Scott their wives Margarita, Erin and his beloved granddaughters Raisa, Zoya and Clodagh in Australia.
