Regis "Rege" Magnus

Regis Magnus, affectionately known as “Rege,” passed away peacefully on May 15, 2024, just days shy of his 86^th birthday. He was a beloved father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, and an esteemed figure in the plastics industry.

Rege was born on May 26, 1938, and led a life full of achievements and adventures. His youth was spent in the suburbs of Pittsburgh, PA, with his parents John and Mary and older brother Cole. At Munhall High School he excelled in football and was surrounded by a strong Catholic community and the love and support of two generations of aunts and uncles living on his street.

Rege’s father and grandfather both worked in the steel mills. Though the work was tough, Rege followed his father into the mill life after high school. Content with his weekly mill pay and bachelor life, he initially ignored offers to play football in college until a friend convinced him that he had potential. To improve his grades and regain his football form, Rege reluctantly enrolled at Fork Union Military Academy for a post-grad year. Three square meals, daily exercising, and firm discipline changed his outlook on life, preparing him for a second chance at college.

Rege attended Villanova University, graduating in 1962 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Marketing. During his time at Villanova, he was a standout football player as center and linebacker, winning the Sun Bowl in his senior year, being elected to the Catholic All American Football Team, and gaining the honor of "Player of the Week" from the Philadelphia Daily News. Rege’s entrepreneurial spirit first took hold at Villanova. He routinely hosted “football parties” by renting dance halls, bands, and staff, and printing tickets to distribute at all the Philadelphia women’s colleges. His party income financed his way through college with money to spare. He bought a new Cadillac convertible and, having made friends with the university security staff,proudly parked his car at the Villanova stadium inside a restricted area that even the coaching staff was prohibited from entering.

Following his college graduation, Rege joined the U.S. Coast Guard in Cape May, New Jersey, for a year then served in the Coast Guard Reserves for seven years.

Rege started his marketing career selling hospital beds working for his uncle in Baltimore. Next, Rege embarked on a remarkable career in the plastics industry. He began with Union Carbide Corporation, one of the world's top chemical companies, in 1964. He was among the first group of five salesmen the company deployed who had sales and marketing degrees rather than chemistry degrees, and started out with responsibility for accounts in Maine, New Hampshire, and Massachusetts. Within a short time, he became a top sales performer of the company.

In 1972, Rege was offered an equity position and the role of Vice President of Sales for Synthetic Materials Corporation in Leominster, MA. For six years, Rege expanded the operation to include a manufacturing and distribution facility in Houston, TX, a facility he would later purchase and continue to own for the rest of his life.

In 1978, Rege and his friend Stacy Cartledge founded Plastic Distributing Corporation (PDC), building it from the ground up. When traditional banks rejected their business model and refused to fund the start-up, PDC secured initial funding from warrants sold to a retirement home investment group. PDC was immediately successful, and the funding was paid off before maturity, much to the disappointment of the retirement home. Under Rege’s leadership, PDC grew to be the industry’s leading resin distributor, with locations in Massachusetts, North Carolina, Florida, and Texas. In 1992, he sold PDC to M.A. Hanna Company, a Fortune 500 company that has since merged and evolved into PolyOne Corporation.

Rege’s innovative drive didn’t stop there. He also founded Plastic Assembly Corporation, a custom molding company, and Blinky Products, a novelty line of plastic party products now owned and operated by Patrick Magnus. He later co-founded Resin Distribution Corporation (RDI) with his son-in-law David Hazel, further cementing his legacy in the industry.

Many leaders of major resin distributors in the plastics industry worked in some capacity with Rege over the course of his career. He had a profound, direct impact in making the resin distribution segment of the industry into what it is today.

Outside of his professional accomplishments, Rege also built a tremendous family legacy. He and his former wife, Patricia Gallagher, raised four children: Gina (David Hazel) from Harvard, Christopher (Sarah Blutt) from Houston, Jeffrey (Wendy Whitten) from Houston, and Patrick from Fitchburg. Rege was also the proud grandfather of five: the late Michael Hazel, Lindsey (Jake Basnett) from Harvard, Nicholas Hazel from Denver, Jack Magnus from Houston, Luke Magnus from Houston, and the great-grandfather of Averie Basnett from Harvard and Cayden Basnett from Harvard. Rege is survived by his former wife Patricia as well as his brother Cole.

Rege cherished his time spent restoring classic cars, hunting, and skiing with his family, hobbies that brought him immense joy and lasting memories, as well as a house full of taxidermy trophies. His adventurous spirit was evident in all aspects of his life. Rege found great joy improving his country properties in Pennsylvania and Vermont, and when you dropped by, you’d likely find him on his tractor.

Regis Magnus will be deeply missed by his family, friends, and all who knew him. His legacy of innovation, exploration, and zest for life will continue to inspire and influence those who had the privilege of knowing him.

A Memorial Mass will be held Saturday, June 1, 2024, at 11:00 AM at St. Cecilia Parish, 180 Mechanic St., Leominster, MA. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Benedict Abbey, 252 Still River Road, Harvard, MA 01451 (www.abbey.org).