Regis Rengers
Our loving father, friend, and “Papa,” Regis Francis Rengers passed away in his home surrounded by family on Tuesday, Feb. 2, 2021.
He was born on April 3, 1949, in Pittsburgh, and was the son of the late Gerard Francis Rengers and Helen (Laingo) Rengers, the eldest of seven children, Lorraine (Dominick) Scarpino, Loretta (Greg) Savisky, Mark (Sharie) Rengers, Bob (Kim) Rengers, Jackie (Stewart) Laurents and Janice (Eric) Hogan.
Rege was raised in Bloomfield, playing stickball in the street, enjoying time with cousins, who lived in the neighborhood, and chasing long fly balls hit over the fence at Forbes Field.
He attended Central Catholic High School for one year, until the family moved to “the farm” outside of Evans City. At that time, Rege began his sophomore year at Seneca Valley High School, where he lettered in golf and graduated in 1967.
Married to his loving wife, Becky (Marburger Piper) for 41 years, his proudest accomplishment was raising their six children, Steve (Mary Beth) Rengers, Julie (Scott) Rast, Jenny (Rob) Nelson, Ben (Carrie) Piper, Melissa (Ryan) Bonicky and Zach (Katie) Rengers.
He cherished time with his 14 grandchildren, Katie Getz-Rengers, Chelsea Mars, Alayna Bonicky, Kirstin Horn, Megan Rengers, Hunter Rast, Stephanie Montini, Kylie Rast, Dylan Rast, Allison and Rachel Piper, Gianna Bonicky, and Brinley and Chloe Rengers.
He was preceded in death by one infant granddaughter, Ashley Rae Piper.
He was the godfather of Renee (Grootaert) Watson, and is survived by his immediate family, numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends of all ages.
A dedicated employee of Marburger Farm Dairy for 43 years, he was “the friendly milkman,” that not only delivered dairy products to thousands of homes, businesses and schools, but a bright smile and genuine kindness to all that he met.
Upon his retirement in 2011, he never missed a beat as he now had more time to lend a helping hand, tinker around the house, and create woodworking products. His most famous specialties were the 31 personalized stools he constructed for the beloved two-year-olds in his life, the 13 bookshelf toy chests he and Becky designed for their youngest son and most of their grandchildren, and one Piper’s Pit pig roaster.
In his retirement, he adored watching his granddaughters, who became “Papa’s Girls,” participating in game nights, and attending sports competitions, concerts and other special events. He was gifted with good-hearted humor and wit, writing poetry, and a pleasant, humble and welcoming spirit.
A lifelong sports enthusiast and hometown fan, Rege enjoyed playing golf, softball and bowling, organizing the family’s cornhole tournaments, coaching his children’s baseball and softball teams and traveling to various baseball stadiums across the country.
He vacationed in 49 of the 50 states, with several trips out West and South to visit his daughters and enjoy milder winters.
Of late, he was the scorekeeper for St. Peter’s Apostles softball team, and is the inaugural and only inductee into St. Peter’s Lutheran Church Sports Hall of Fame, his wonderful church of which he was a council, choir and longtime member.
RENGERS — Friends and family of Regis Francis Rengers, who died Tuesday, Feb. 2, 2021, will be received from noon to 4 p.m. Sunday at Boylan Funeral Home & Cremation Center of Connoquenessing Township, 856 Evans City Road, Renfrew.
A funeral ceremony will be held privately by the family Monday at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Evans City.
He will be laid to rest at Evans City Cemetery.
As one who admired sports all of his life, Rege was afflicted with Lou Gehrig’s disease, a debilitating neuromuscular illness that he battled for nearly five years. Stronger than his love of sports, his deep faith in Christ sustained him. In honor of Rege and for continued study and prevention of ALS, please donate to the ALS Foundation, Western Pennsylvania Chapter at www.webwpawv.alsa.org, and/or St. Peter’s Lutheran Church of Evans City at www.stpeterslutheranevanscity.org.
Expressions of sympathy may be shared with the family at www.boylanfuneralservices.com.
