Reg DeNure
April 18, 1942 – August 1, 2025
Peacefully with his family by his side, Reginald Percy Rightmyer DeNure passed away at the Chatham-Kent Health Alliance at the age of 83 on the morning of August 1, 2025. Born on April 18, 1942, in Belleville, Reg was the first child of Ivan and Evelyn DeNure. The DeNure family grew with the birth of Kenneth Ivan the following year. After having been courted by civic stewards to manage the city bus transit service, the family of four moved to Chatham in 1948. Operations for the six-bus fleet of Chatham Coach Lines commenced on July 15, 1948.
Through his youth and formative years, Reg had developed tremendous passion and talent for the transportation industry. By the age of twenty-one, he was instrumental in management, dispatch and driving duties. While driving a springtime charter to Detroit, one of his passengers, a schoolteacher, caught his eye. After a brief courtship, Reg married the woman who would prove his biggest supporter, most patient and understanding pillar, and best friend Brenda (Hunter) on August 29, 1964.
Reg celebrated the growth of his family with the addition of daughters Danielle (Keith Chinnery), Jacquelyn (Peter McGlynn), Pierrette (Kevin Kiriakopoulos) and son Brent (Corrie Pillon). The loving father took great pride in providing a wealth of life experiences, opportunities, support and lessons for his children, and then to their spouses, and grandchildren. A true sentimentalist, he captured as many special moments as he could with his camera or video recorder. Before his 40th birthday, Reg succeeded his father as the President of Chatham Coach Lines. Under his leadership, the business grew to become one of the country’s largest privately owned transportation companies, employing over 400 people under the Chatham Coach Lines/Cha-Co Trails umbrella. His vision and influence to advocate for and advance transportation models were realized across the Province of Ontario contributing to his ultimately conducting the role as President of the Ontario School Bus Operators’ Association and then the Ontario Motor Coach Association. He was granted a Lifetime Achievement Award during induction into the OMCA Hall of Fame.
Leading up to and beyond Reg’s “retirement” in 2000, his corporate interests included a variety of ancillary businesses, some of which were Rispin “Good Time” Travel, Midnight Sun Tours, Breg Bus Leasing, The Tread Centre, Chatham Aquaculture, DeNure Holdings, Smyth Memorials (Chatham) and St. Croix Memorials (Wallaceburg).
Reg was also very passionate about providing vision, advice, and resources to noble causes and community efforts. He proudly reflected on his time as an Executive with the Chatham Sr. “A” Maroons during their 1960 Allen Cup Championship season, his role in building the North Side (now Erickson) arena in 1972 and having been the creative engine for “Tobe-Cobe” as the mascot for the 1979 International Plowing Match. Reg also offered his influence and creativity for the expansion of Holy Trinity Anglican Church while always rich in volunteering his perspective for a long list of civic matters.
A proud Master Mason, “Brother Reg” was a committed supporter of the Shriners Hospital for Children, while also taking a very serious and competitive approach with his Masonic brethren during the annual drive to sell cheese. Reg was proud to be part of, and supporter of Carla Can Sing, and sharing his love of music during performances of The Wallaceburg Concert Band. He was also proud to be a founding father of FireFest. His passion for antique buses, cars, and fire trucks was often shared at events which fostered a lifetime of valued friend ships and connections from coast-to-coast, both sides of the border. Reg often cited his special fondness for parades because “everyone was happy, and everyone could afford the price of admission”.
Reg was in his element when behind the steering wheel of a bus, car, or truck. He was a proud “wheel man” who playfully challenged himself to recall names of passengers, drivers, and hosts he met during his “Bus Boy” years. Without question, the repeat riders closest to his heart were the Maple City Ice Crystals and London Synchronicity precision skating teams he drove across the province, for many winters. Reg took pride in always getting his passengers home safely and usually without having had his bus stolen.
For many years, he cherished donning “the red suit” to inspire the spirit and magic of Christmas. Reg loved channeling St. Nicholas to a great number of children and seniors across Chatham-Kent. An avid storyteller, his delivery of a joke, quip or verse was often complimented by his infectious grin and trademark mannerisms. He considered moments shared with his friends; friendly acquaintances and the memories made with others to be among his most prized gifts. He was very blessed to have a journey which touched countless lives. His presence will be forever cherished and greatly missed by his family. Reg is survived by his loving wife Brenda and their beloved rescue canine Chorky, his children, their spouses, and grandchildren; Calder Chinnery, Maxx and Zach McGlynn, Carson, Alexis, and Cash Kiriakopoulos and brother Ken (Barbara Parry). Reg will be reunited in eternity with his granddaughter Jocelyn McGlynn (2020) and grandson Kyle Chinnery (2021). Reg was celebrated by family at a private ceremony and interned at Maple Leaf Cemetery on August 6, 2025.
The DeNure family would like to express gratitude for the sincerity and professionalism of Chatham-Kent EMS and the amazing team who cared so dearly for him at CKHA. Further thanks are expressed to the Rev. Elaine Wilcox for providing spiritual comfort as his earthly journey came to an end. Friends wanting to help a cause close to Reg’s heart are encouraged to donate to Holy Trinity-St. Paul’s Anglican Church, PAWR or to help an animal in need find a loving forever home.