New London - Louie Pica, his forever friend, saw Bob Reagan walking toward the Thames Barber Shop the other day. This was news, given that you usually heard Reagan's voice, louder than a lawn mower, before you ever saw him.

"Watch this," Pica said to the patrons awaiting haircuts, including former New London High School football player Marty Leff. "Bob is going to take one look here at Marty and go, 'Marty Leff! He used to play right tackle at New London!'"

Reagan loved the joke about "Leff" playing somewhere on the right, when Leff should have been left.

And here came Reagan, making the same grand entrance he made every day at the Thames around 11 a.m. As if on cue, he said, "Hey! Marty Leff! He used to play right tackle! Leff right! Can you believe it?"

Laughter erupted.

That was Bob Reagan.

He made you laugh every day.

And it was with the deepest sorrow that we learned Bob Reagan died unexpectedly Thursday night at home.

The Thames Barber Shop has lost its public address announcer. The star of the show. Our region has lost one of its grandest voices and greatest senses of humor. And this is where it begins and ends with the man they've called "Bubba," "Bottles" and "Thunder." With his sense of humor. If you didn't know him, you will now.

Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, Bob Reagan:

Bob once told former U.S. Rep. Sam Gejdenson, while Sam was getting a haircut, that the country could save a lot of money by combining the four military academies to one piece of property. … He called former Yankee Marcus Thames "Marcus Barber Shop." … He lost 110 pounds at Thin's In … You would ask him, "Hi'ya doin' Reeg?" He would reply, "Lost, but I'm making good time."

Bob left a manila envelope at the Thames titled, "Yankee Stuff, please save." … He loved the Yankees, Giants and UConn basketball. … He once suggested the Yankees should send scouts to Oklahoma to see if Mickey Mantle has any nephews. … He was a local sports historian, a former great basketball player at New London High and Central Connecticut, coach at New London and athletic director at Waterford High. … He once refused to enter the barber shop because Lou and Danny Cardillo, not fans of the UConn women, had an autographed photo of Pat Summitt hanging on the wall.

Bob loved watching his grandchildren play sports. He was talking the day he died about a recent great experience at Bridgewater-Raynham in Massachusetts, or as he said, "Bridgewater Raymond." … He once bought a $100 pair of socks. … He loved busting a few chops with barber shop patrons, especially John Madden … He responded to young people who blast that jackhammer music in their cars with the windows down with merry-go-round music blasting louder. … He called Sue Cash, who cuts hair now next to Lou, "Radio Free Europe … If you ever want people to know something," he said, "use the telephone, telegraph or tell Sue."

Bob once bought a new truck. He was leaving the barber shop one day when an apple fell from the front seat to the floor. Bob leaned over to pick it up, took his eyes off the road and rammed a telephone pole. "He hit it dead solid," Pica said. "I went nuts." … He loved the hot dogs and burgers at Kamp Dog in New London, saying Thursday they were better than the burgers and dogs at Harry's in Colchester. … He loved the lobster rolls at Capt. Scott's. He loved Captain Jacks in Rhode Island, Panera and brought Muzzys from the Flanders Bake Shop to the barber shop every Friday.

Bob would tip me off to stories and sign his e-mails, "The East Lyme Phantom." … He liked Mayor Finizio, especially after the fire hydrants in the city were painted green and gold. … Pica used to like to watch Reagan eat at the Italian Dramatic Club. "When he was done with the chicken, it looked like he had a volcano of bones in front of him," Pica said. … He loved Springsteen and when Frog Mei would drop his pants to the song "Eh Cumpari," by Julius Larosa.

Bob loved the view of New London from the ferry, especially coming home from Orient Point. … He grew up in the Crocker House and used to dribble a basketball as a kid past what would become the Thames Barber Shop. The place where he had so much fun and delivered daily doses of joy. Faithfully.

A wonderful, generous, happy man. My son, 4, is generally shy around strangers. He met Bob for the first time Thursday and actually shook his hand.

Bob had that effect on everyone.

I loved the guy.

I'll spend every day missing him. As will everyone else who knew him.

This is the opinion of Day sports columnist Mike DiMauro.

Twitter: @BCgenius