Leonard John Regan

When someone you love becomes a memory, the memory becomes a treasure.

Obituary

With deep sadness, we announce the passing of Len regan, who was born on 9 January 1946 and passed away on 5 September 2026, at home in Mooroolbark, Victoria.

Len will be remembered for kindness, generosity, and the quiet ability to bring people together. Family, friends, neighbours, and colleagues all experienced the warmth and sincerity that made time spent with Len meaningful.

Throughout his life, Len built lasting connections and touched many lives through simple acts of care, encouragement, and friendship. Conversations, shared moments, and everyday gestures created memories that will remain with those who had the privilege of knowing him.

Family meant a great deal to Len, and relationships were always nurtured with patience and devotion. Friends valued loyalty and sincerity, while colleagues appreciated his incredible passion for improving and delivering public transport to help others.

Len's passing of leaves a space that cannot be filled. Yet the memories, lessons, and moments shared will continue to live on in the hearts of those who were fortunate to know him.

Len will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered.

Len's Funeral, 1 pm Friday 11 September

Len’s Funeral Details

Friday 11th September
1pm
Maranatha Hall
High St Yea (next to Anglican Church)
Burial to follow at Yea Lawn Cemetery

Please join us after the burial back at the hall for refreshments and remembrances

For those who are unable to join us in person, we invite you to be with us virtually to honour and celebrate Len's life. The service will be broadcast live, and you can join the stream using the link below. Thank you all for your ongoing love and support from near and far.

Donate

In lieu of flowers, our family would deeply appreciate a donation to the Epworth Medical Foundation (EMF) in memory of Len.

The team at Epworth provides exceptional, compassionate care, and any contribution will help fund life-saving medical equipment, innovative clinical research, and vital patient support programs.

If you wish to make a gift, you can do so directly via the Epworth Medical Foundation Website, https://emf.org.au/ways-to-donate/one-off-gift.

Thank you all for your love and support during this difficult time.

Gallery

Memory wall

October 3, 2026

I only knew Len a short time through the Australian Timetable Association. His commitment to the promotion of the value of timetables was extraordinary. He has left big shoes to fill and will be missed by all who knew him.

Leigh Zaghet

September 16, 2026

Len was a thoughtful and caring soul who showed great dedication to those around him and demonstrated a strong passion for the interests he believed in.

He and I go back 45 years to my early working days, and our times together encompassed government run public transport, the private bus industry and when we both ran consulting businesses.

I learnt many things from working with Len, which I will always appreciate, but more than that he became a wonderful friend as well.

He will be dearly missed.

Glen Hunter

September 12, 2026

I first met Len about 56 years ago when my wife Kate was practising with Mary for Len and Mary’s wedding ceremony.
Len and I were really just acquaintances until the ‘fateful’ day he and I ran over to a window at my mother in law’s house to watch a train going past. That was to be the start of a very strong and long lasting friendship as we photographed trains all around Newcastle, in particular, especially steam trains whose demise was imminent.
In later years I was both thrilled and honoured when Len, who was Manager of Newcastle Buses, engaged me to produce pen and ink drawings of the Newcastle Ferry and Newcastle Buses.
What a privilege.
With respect to his work as a Town Planner and Transport Manager, Len’s excellent memory, great business acumen and meticulous attention to detail proved to be priceless attributes when it came to record keeping and timetabling in particular.
His fastidious nature, which proved to be a real asset most of the time , also applied to keeping notes on the run. I remember occasions when we were ‘chasing’ a train but could not leave one spot to get ahead for the next photograph because Len was writing notes in his diary about the photo just taken.
As someone I know once commented ‘ Len probably kept every piece of paper he has written on.’
I think he had more filing cabinets than a filing cabinet factory. Poor Mary.

Good bye old friend

Grahame Smith

Grahame Smith

September 11, 2026

Len will be remembered fondly, particularly for his fashion sense, as exemplified by the 'Pope Len' image here, taken November 2016 at a fancy dress party in Sydney.

Neil Clarke

September 10, 2026

Farewell Len.

I must thank Len for the opportunity of working at Newcastle Buses back in the 1990s. Learning public transport planning at the cutting edge ! It was a real education.

Len was a great friend and work colleague. I always enjoyed our conversations.

My condolences to Mary and Family.

Robert

Robert Mills

September 10, 2026

Len made a huge contribution to the Australian Timetable Association, with his energy, ability and imagination, and I know he made huge contributions elsewhere too. I am forever grateful for all the work he did to get Victor's timetables to good homes. I also remember with fondness the dinner I shared with Len and Mary at my place after the ATA AGM in 2024.

May you be soothed by many beautiful memories and by the knowledge that many people like me were touched by Len's kindness.

Agnes Boskovitz

September 10, 2026

I only had the pleasure of meeting Len recently. He was warm and welcoming and I very much enjoyed our weekly chats. He was a man of much inner strength and grace, extremely patient and understanding and the love he held for his family and Mary was very evident in his words and facial expressions when talking about them. Also his love for his job shone through in our conversations and I now know more about timetabling and transport then I ever thought I would. :)
My condolences to Mary and all the family

Sara Guy

September 10, 2026

Len and Mary have been Members of Dorrigo Steam Railway and Museum for over 50 years, supporting the preservation of NSW Railway Heritage. More than Museum Members, they were good friends. Len will be sadly missed.

Our Sympathy to Mary and other family Members. May he rest in peace.

Keith Jones

September 10, 2026

Len was my closest and dearest cousins.
I had not seen Len and Mary since my retirement many years ago but had spoken by phone some months ago.I was not aware that his condition had deteriorated so much

I have very fond memories of my times with Len as a child, our family of 5 used to pile into our small Ford Anglia and head off from Orange to Newcastle to stay with the Regan’
I vivid remember many holidays spent at Eleebana on Lake Macquarie

Gerard O'Brien

September 10, 2026

Len and I met in the 1980s when he worked for the State Transit Authority on Sydney buses. One of his legacies from this time was the 400 bus route from Burwood to Bondi Junction, passing near 9 railway stations, the two Sydney airport terminals and about 9 of Westfield shopping centres. It grew to be a very well patronised route, and a few years ago was replaced by three bus routes.
He also made a good contribution to Newcastle buses, in operations and later in advocacy for improved services. On leaving NSW for Victoria, he maintained his interest in public transport, including timetables.
Len shall be missed and my condolences go to Mary and family.

Philip Laird

September 10, 2026

Len and I shared several years at the Redemptorist seminary at Ballarat.
Then we met up again at Newcastle Uni where we both were involved with the Newman Society. I we ven stood in for his father at his marriage to Mary.
I lost contact with him when he moved to Victoria, but we did catch up with each other at the Galong (Redemptorist minor seminary) re-unions.
I will miss him as he was a true friend.
Peter

Peter Murtagh

September 10, 2026

I met once in my live with Len and his wife here in Switzerland and a long lasting friendship was established. He was always a very good friend and he kept my contact with ATA always alive. I will never forgott him.
I will pray for him and his family and relatives. May he rest in peace.
With condolences to his wife and all members of his family and his friends
from Switzerland.
Best wishes Samuel

Samuel Rachdi

September 10, 2026

I had the pleasure of meeting Len when I joined the Australian Timetable Association. I was introduced to the ATA by David Hennell. Both David and Len were/are heavily involved in the affairs of the association and it was at the regularly organised evening meetings, held at David's home, that I got to know Len.

From the very start, Len was welcoming, engaging and enthusiastic. His passion for public transport and timetables was clearly evident and his willingness to contribute to discussions demonstrated his broad knowledge on the topics.

But more than that, Len was a true gentleman, treating people with kindness and respect. His value to the ATR was enormous and irreplaceable. Together with other active members his energy and commitment to preserving Australia's timetable history was boundless.

Len was a delightful person to be around, I will miss him greatly. He leaves us with happy memories of times shared.

With condolences to his family and friends.

Alan Williams