An Icon Remembered

Businessman and philanthropist Paul O’Regan

Parrsboro, Nova Scotia lost a favourite son on March 10, 2012 with the untimely death of Paul O’Regan.

An accomplished and respected entrepreneur, he is best remembered for his work with the eponymously named automotive sales group he led for 35 years. Together with his brother Stephen, they built ORegan’s into one of the largest automotive organizations in Canada, including 15 new car franchises in Halifax, Dartmouth and Bridgewater.

Under their leadership, O’Regan’s Automotive Group won many distinguished awards: Canada’s 50 Best Managed Companies (platinum status), Best Companies to Work For in Atlantic Canada, Corporate Philanthropist of the Year (Atlantic), Better Business Bureau Ethics Award and a national award for Family Enterprise of the Year.

Paul himself won comparable acclaim from his industry and peers, and served on a number of regional and national committees for various automobile brands. In 2006, he received the inaugural Canadian Automobile Dealers Association Laureate Award.

His son and leadership successor, Sean O’Regan, remembers his father as a deft leader. “He was particularly good at developing teams; identifying the who … and then the what. He was exceptional at putting the right people in front of the problem and letting the solution come from them.”

This talent was particularly evident in his succession planning, which was put in place when he still was a young man. Though he retained an active voice in the business until his death, Paul and his brother Stephen retired from daily involvement with O’Regan’s back in 2008, giving the next generation the opportunity to ease into various management roles.

Outside his business activities, Paul O’Regan was known as a generous supporter of extensive charitable causes. According to his official obituary, his community service included the Canadian Centre for Ethics in Public Affairs, Alderney Landing Cultural Community Centre, Junior Achievement, Heart & Stroke Foundation of Nova Scotia and Saint Francis Xavier University. He was a founding director of Phoenix House, honourary chair (with his wife Margaret) of Margaret House and Feed Others. He was also a dedicated supporter of The Arthritis Society, Coady International Institute, Eastern Front Theatre, The Mental Health Foundation, Ship’s Company Theatre, The United Way and numerous other organizations.

Paul O’Regan passed away in a Venice, Florida hospital, surrounded by his family. He was 67.