John Reagan

John William Reagan of Wilmington and West Wardsboro passed away on February 13, 2017 after a long hard fought battle against cancer. He was born in 1952 in Valley Stream, N.Y. to Joseph P. and Irene (Griffin) Reagan. He was raised in Seaford, Long Island and attended the Levittown schools, graduating from General Douglas Macarthur High School. In 1978 he moved to Wilmington fulltime, working first in various restaurants in the Valley. In 1981 he acquired and reopened Dot's Restaurant in Wilmington, quickly developing a loyal following among townspeople, second homeowners, vacationers and people just passing through. In 1988 he married Patricia Bemis of Jacksonville and since then they have together operated Dot's, gaining recognition for the restaurant throughout New England and nationally. Over the years, Dot's has been written up in such publications as Gourmet Magazine and Ski Magazine for the "best breakfast in Vermont", its award-winning chili and its small-town ambiance. Despite the long hours in the restaurant John and Patty found time to enjoy boating on Lake George and farther afield, traveling as a seemingly inseparable team.In 2011 Tropical Storm Irene all but destroyed Dot's, but through the hard work of John and Patty, enormous support of many friends and customers, and critical financial support from the Preservation Trust of Vermont, Wilmington Fund and the Friends of the Valley Foundation, two years after the storm Dot's reopened, a crucial piece in the recovery of Wilmington from the storm's devastation, and once again Dot's was a social hub of the town. With the renovation following the storm they were recognized in 2014 by the Preservation Trust for their "contribution to preserving Vermont's historic architecture". He is survived, in addition to Patty, by his brother Paul (Jane) of Ft. Myers, Fla and Quechee, Vt., Phyllis (Al Arnold) of the Villages, Fl. and Alexandria, Va., and Betsey of Wilmington, as well as many nieces and nephews. He also leaves behind his loyal Labrador retriever, KoKo. John and Patty would like to acknowledge the loving support of the Bemis family, the loyal staff and customers of Dot's, and the staff at Bennington Hospital during John's entire battle. Please consider donating in John's memory to the Preservation Trust of Vermont (104 Church Street, Burlington, Vermont 05401) or the Windham County Humane Society (PO Box 397, Brattleboro, Vermont 05302). Friends may call from 5:30 to 8pm on Wednesday February 15 , 2017 at the Covey Allen & Shea Funeral Home 44 East Main Street, Wilmington. A funeral mass will be celebrated at 2pm on Thursday February 16, 2017 at Our Lady of Fatima Church in Wilmington. To send the family personal email condolences, please visit www.sheafuneralhomes.com. The family has entrusted services to the care of Covey Allen & Shea Funeral Home, Wilmington, VT. Friends may call from 5:30 to 8pm on Wednesday February 15 , 2017 at the Covey Allen & Shea Funeral Home 44 East Main Street, Wilmington. A funeral mass will be celebrated at 2pm on Thursday February 16, 2017 at Our Lady of Fatima Church in Wilmington.