Article originally published in the Chatham Daily News

By Ellwood Shreve
Published Aug 04, 2025

Reg DeNure is seen in this photograph taken about two years ago with the 1930 Buick bus, which was the “flagship” of his collection of vintage vehicles of which he and his father, Ivan, were “beyond proud,” said his son Brent DeNure.

Long-time prominent entrepreneur Reg DeNure is being remembered for his strong work ethic and commitment to his family and community.

DeNure, who passed away Friday at age 83, was well-known for leading the family business, Chatham Coach Lines, established on July 15, 1948 with a fleet of six buses, by his father Ivan DeNure.

Son Brent DeNure said his father “developed a tremendous passion and talent for the transportation industry” in his youth and formative years. By age 21, DeNure was instrumental in the management, dispatch and driving duties, he said.

By age 39, Reg DeNure, succeeded his father as president, growing the business under his leadership to become one of the country’s largest privately-owned transportation companies, employing more than 400 people under the Chatham Coach Lines Cha-Co Trails umbrella, his son said.

Reg DeNure’s vision and influence to advocate for and advance transportation models were realized across Ontario leading to his role as president of the Ontario School Bus Operators’ Association and the Ontario Motor Coach Association (OMCA), Brent DeNure said.

His father received the lifetime achievement award from the OMCA during his induction into its Hall of Fame in 2005, Brent DeNure said.

At the time, DeNure was only the eighth person to receive the honour in the association’s history.

“Reg’s dedication and commitment to the motor coach industry and the OMCA has been evident for decades,” association president Brian Crow said at the time.

He said DeNure held every executive position on the board of directors, oversaw radical changes in the association while at the same time expanding his business to become one of the major bus companies in Ontario.

“His contributions to the transportation industry were many and magnificent and stretched all across the Province of Ontario,” Brent DeNure said of his father. “He was an incredibly well-connected man and that was a reflection of his pedigree and success in the transportation industry.”

DeNure remained a proud “wheel man” who playfully challenged himself to recall names of passengers, drivers, and hosts he met during his “bus boy” years, Brent DeNure said.

Leading up to DeNure’s retirement in 2000, his corporate interests included a variety of other businesses, including Rispin Good Time Travel, Midnight Sun Tours, The Tread Centre, Chatham Aquaculture, DeNure Holdings, Smyth Memorials in Chatham and St. Croix Memorials in Wallaceburg, said his son.

“He was the type of fellow that always rolled up his sleeves and was ready and prepared to get involved with anything that caught his attention or he developed a passion for,” Brent DeNure said.

Reg DeNure also was passionate about providing vision, advice, and resources to noble causes and community efforts, his son said.

Reg DeNure’s contribution to the community included being an executive with the Chatham Sr. ‘A’ Maroons during their 1960 Allen Cup Championship season, playing a role in building Erickson arena in 1972 and being the “creative engine” for the Tobe-Cobe mascot for the 1979 International Plowing Match, held locally.

His dad was proud to be a founding father of FireFest, once a prominent event in downtown Chatham, Brent DeNure said.

He was “in his element when behind the steering wheel of a bus, car, or truck,” he said.

His father often cited his special fondness for parades because “everyone was happy, and everyone could afford the price of admission,” the younger DeNure said.

For many years, Reg DeNure also cherished donning “the red suit” to inspire the spirit and magic of Christmas, his son said.

“He loved channeling St. Nicholas to a great number of children and seniors across Chatham-Kent.”

DeNure is survived by Brenda (nee Hunter), his wife of nearly 61 years, four children and their spouses as well as several grandchildren.

Friends are invited to pay their respects Tuesday from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Alexander and Houle Funeral Home, 245 Wellington St. W., Chatham. A private family service is being held Wednesday at Maple Leaf Cemetery