It’s been exactly 155 years since a wee fellow named Joseph Malachy Regan was born in Belfast, in what is now Northern Ireland.

Although I’ve blogged about him several times already, it seems only right to let his youngest daughter, Cecelia, have her say.

Grandma was crazy about her father. She was the only one of the Regan girls to marry, and he gave her away in full regalia:

Thanks to my middle brother, Dave, who was working on a family tree for a school project back in 1970 – Grandma Cassidy typed up a page with information about her parents.

Here’s what she had to say 52 years ago:

Joseph Malachy Regan

Born: November 20, 1867 – Belfast, Northern Ireland
Died: April 4, 1941 – New Haven, Connecticut

Educated by the Christian Brothers in Ireland.

Loved sports: Boxing, hunting, walking along the countryside and in the forests, horseback riding, and sulky racing. He enjoyed good books, and was always a lover of nature. Often as a child, when he would be gone from the yard, he would be found asleep under some tree in the forest.

As a teenager, he experienced so much bigotry and injustice because of religious beliefs that he eventually decided to immigrate to America. He was a young man of twenty at the time. Before leaving Ireland, he was employed in a Hardware Store, and while there, a great knowledge of iron, and metals lead to his future life’s work in America.

Before leaving Ireland he married Margaret Ellen Kelly of County Antrim.

They landed in America in 1888, the year of the Great Blizzard.

Mr. Regan’s first job in the States was toting coal on his back for $8.00 a week. After this job, he secured an office position with an Iron and Steel Firm. His ability to learn was such that he was soon able to go into the Iron and Steel business on his own. With the financial help of a friend, he purchased a rolling mill on which he built the present office in New Haven. The business is still run by Mr. Regan’s youngest son, and is the oldest business of this type in New Haven – began in 1896.

Relative to one of his hobbies as a horse lover, he owned a Mare, Betty Martin, a half-sister to Dan Patch – 1:55 was his speed – and he was the fastest racer in the world.

Mr. Regan left to his family not only worldly goods, but a legacy of ideals.

Grandma just glowed when she talked about her dear father. She lived her married life happily on Chatham Street, where their backyard abutted her parents’ property on Lombard Street.

My mom was only 11 years old when her “Pop” passed away.

Already, she expressed her emotions through poetry:

My Pop

My Pop has gone to heaven,
To see the Lord divine;
There’s not another like him –
So good, and true, and fine.

On earth he was so happy,
For many friends he had –
He’d always try to cheer you,
Whenever you were sad.

He was so kind to children,
They loved him one and all;
When came the time for Pop to go –
He answered Jesus’s call.

Although we all may mourn him;
For he’s laid down to rest,
Remember he has gone to see
The One he loves the best.

~ Joan Virginia Cassidy, age 11, April 1941

Thanks to Dave for sending me Grandma’s notes from so long ago. I know she’d be so pleased that we’re remembering her father on this day.

“My Pop” © 1941 Joan Virginia Cassidy. All rights reserved.

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