Joseph E Reagan, of Norfolk, VA, husband, father, grandfather, and retired US Navy Captain died peacefully in his sleep March 25, 2023.
He proudly and selflessly served God and his country, and loved unconditionally his family and those whom they loved. Born in 1939 to J Emmett and Mary (Flanagan) Reagan he was raised in Chicago, learned to play the piano and was on the Fenwick High swim team. On the advice of his brother-in-law Roger he elected to attend St. Mary’s College in Winona, MN rather than Notre Dame (the family tradition.)
‘Tis true whether good fortune or a bit of Irish luck would have it he met the love of his life on a blind date at a baseball game his sophomore year – Clare Bednark a student at the nearby College of St Teresa. They married in 1961 in Little Falls, MN, Clare’s hometown. Joining the Navy in 1963 they spent the next 30 years of their married life touring the countryside courtesy of Uncle Sam and raising 6 children: Anne (Elizabeth) Salt Point, NY; Sheila (Michael) Norfolk; Bridget (Henry) Burt, Stonehaven,
Scotland; lan (Laura) Crownsville, MD; J. Emmett Reagan, Salt Point, NY; Andrew Jude, St. Paul, MN.
For as much as he loved his kids he was overjoyed by his grandchildren: Michael, John Joseph, Laila, lain, Marianne, Andrew, and Grace. Papa Joe considered them one of God’s greatest gifts, with the exception of the Chicago Cubs winning the 2016 World Series. He was known for his attention to detail, his great sense of humor, and open mind. As busy as a supply corps officer could be there was always time for a catch a game of ping pong, a cribbage match or songs around the baldwin piano.
After his Navy career he treasured his time working as financial administrator at Holy Trinity in Ocean View. As a Navy Officer among his many tours were the USS Pandemus, Charleston SC; USS Forest Sherman, Newport, RI; US Navy Supply Corps School, Athens, GA; George Washington Univ, MBA, USS Puget Sound, Norfolk, VA; The Pentagon; and his last tour as Commanding Officer of the Atlantic Fleet Accounting and Disbursing, (FAADCLANT) Norfolk Naval Station.
Captain Reagan is predeceased by his parents Emmett & Mary, his treasured in laws JB (John) and Catherine; his sister Maryann and brother in law Roger, his grandchildren Ginny and Khalil and his beautiful shelties Nancy Whiskey and bonnie Jean. He is survived by Clare, his bride of 62 years, his six children and 7 grandchildren, his wonderful cousins and the much loved Hipskind clan; as well as many friends considered family met in the line of duty and throughout neighborhoods and naval bases.
