Father Michael J. Regan died at Marian Manor in South Boston on May 4, 2020, after a period of declining health. He was born in Boston on July 25, 1936.

He and his two brothers, sons of the late John and Margaret (O'Shea) Regan lived in the Hub's Dorchester section, more specifically in St. Leo Parish. He was an alumnus of the Boston Public Latin School from which he entered the archdiocesan seminaries first at Cardinal O'Connell, Jamaica Plain, and then at St. John, Brighton.

Richard Cardinal Cushing ordained him to the priesthood on Feb. 2, 1962, and made his first assignment as an assistant at Our Lady Help of Christians Parish, Concord. He was appointed chaplain at Mount St. Vincent, Wellesley, in 1968 and served there until 1971. Archbishop Humberto Medeiros named him as an associate at St. Joseph Parish in Malden's Maplewood section in 1972. He served there until 1976, when he was named chaplain at Pope John XXIII High School in Everett, while remaining in residence at the Malden parish rectory.

He served at Pope John for a decade during which time the school reached its peak enrollment.

Bernard Cardinal Law named him pastor of St. Thomas Aquinas Parish in Bridgewater, which also carried with it the responsibility of the sacramental ministry for the Campus Ministry at the then Bridgewater State College (now University). During his tenure at the parish, he also served as episcopal vicar of the Brockton Vicariate of the South Region (1987-1993). He resigned from the parish in 1996, and lived at St. Bridget, Abington; in 2001 was granted senior priest retirement status.

In 2004 he changed residence and lived first at the archdiocesan residence of senior priests, Regina Cleri in Boston's West End and more recently at South Boston's Marian Manor.

Funeral Services for Father Regan were celebrated at New Calvary Cemetery, Mattapan, where he was interred with his parents. His brother John of Centerville survives him.