Reginald James Mcintyre

Reginald James McIntyre (Reggie), 78 years old of Hammond, Louisiana, passed away on September 29, 2021, at St. Tammany Parish Hospital due to complications from cancer.

Reggie was born September 15, 1943 at Touro, New Orleans, to James McIntyre (Cleo) and Ophelia Uli McIntyre (Phil). He had one brother, Rodney McIntyre (Buddy). He grew up in Independence, Louisiana, attended Mater Dolorosa and Southeastern High School in Hammond. Raised in both Irish and Sicilian-Italian traditions, these were fundamental to his big personality, love of family, and strong Catholic faith.

He was a graduate of Tulane University (1966) where he was a member of Kappa Alpha fraternity, and he received his Juris Doctorate from LSU Law School in 1970. The lifelong friendships he held with his Tulane friends were a source of pride and remain an important part of his life to this day.

Reggie married his beloved wife of 55 years, Patricia Donohue McIntyre, on June 4, 1966, in Abbeville, Louisiana. They met during Mardi Gras, while she was attending Dominican College and he was at Tulane. Because of this, Mardi Gras was his favorite holiday, and they celebrated with dear and treasured friends every year.

His Catholic faith was the foundation and backbone of his character, and he, along with his family were devout parishioners of Holy Ghost Catholic parish, Diocese of Baton Rouge. Reggie loved sports and loved to cheer on his beloved LSU Tigers and New Orleans Saints. Besides his family, which was always the pride of his life, his close friendships and relationships established throughout his life in Hammond brought him immeasurable joy and strength.

From the years of 1977-1989, he served as City Attorney for the City of Hammond. He then served as Public Defender for 8 years; and ultimately, in his career defining role as Chief Public Defender of the 21st Judicial District for the Florida Parishes for 22 years, retiring June 30, 2021. Upon his retirement, he received special recognition for his 22 years of dedicated service and unyielding leadership as Chief Public Defender by the Governor of the State of Louisiana, John Bel Edwards.  

His memberships included State of Louisiana Bar Association (1970-2021), Louisiana Public Defender Board (1990-2021), and Hammond Mortgage Authority Board (1980-2021).

He was preceded in death by his parents, Ophelia Uli McIntyre (May 1976), Cleo James McIntyre (January 1997), parents-in-law, John Paul Donohue (January 2001), Marie Elise Lege’ Donohue (March 2020), his brother Rodney Pete McIntyre (February 2013), and his nephew, Patrick Lege Donohue, Jr. (March 2012).

He is survived in death by his wife, Patricia Donohue McIntyre, and his four children -Courtney McIntyre, Reginald McIntyre, Jr. (Amy), Margaret McIntyre VanRyckeghem (Mike), and Patricia McIntyre Plantan (Neil). He has eight grandchildren, Landry Elizabeth Werth, Marie Camille Werth, John Bogardus Werth, Jr., Reginald James McIntyre, III, Colin William McIntyre, Ryland Evans McIntyre, Erin Elise VanRyckeghem and Elise Virginia Plantan.

Services will be held Wednesday October 6th, 2021, 11am at Holy Ghost Catholic Church, officiated by Fr. Cayet Mangiarcina - O.P. Visitations are offered at McNeely and Sons Funeral Home of Hammond on Tuesday, October 5th from 6-9pm and on Wednesday, October 6th from 9-10:30am, after which we will process to Holy Ghost for services. Burial services will be at Amite Cemetery immediately following the funeral. Pallbearers will be Reginald McIntyre III, Colin McIntyre, John Werth Jr., John Donohue III, Daniel Donohue, James Donohue, Sr., James Donohue Jr., Allen Kuhn Jr. Honorary Pallbearers are John Gary, John Paul Donohue, Jr., Patrick Donohue, Allen Kuhn and Neil Plantan.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations to be made to Holy Ghost Catholic Church, Hammond, Louisiana.

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