YARMOUTH – Steven L. “Reg” Register, 54, died March 1, 2011, surrounded by his family at home, due to brain cancer. Born May 9, 1956, in Hartford, Conn., he was son of the late David L. Register and Virginia H. Wroth.
He spent his childhood in Wethersfield, Conn., moving to Damariscotta with his family in 1970. Reg attended Lincoln Academy, Newcastle, where he excelled in soccer and track. After studying in Seville, Spain, his junior year of college, he graduated from the University of Maine, Orono, in 1978 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Spanish. He began a career in the printing business, working for Pitney Bowes, Maine Printing, Deep River Production and eventually launching his own print and design company, East Shore Studio & Print, Portland. Reg served on the board of directors for Boys to Men and First Radio Parish Church, and was assistant coach for his son Christopher’s youth soccer team. He was a dedicated member of several fellowship organizations, where he empowered men and women of all ages and all walks of life. Whether talking one-on-one or in a group, Reg listened intently and could be relied upon for empathy, insight and direction. His life touched many as did his captivating smile. He had an abiding passion for music demonstrated in his talent as a drummer, which he shared with his son, Dave. He was a member of Yarmouth Unitarian Universalist Church. Reg spent every summer on Heron Island, where he was an enthusiastic tennis player, devoting countless hours to the care and upkeep of the tennis court where his mother taught him to play. He had a great passion for boating and respect for the sea. Before beginning his career in printing, he worked on commercial and sport fishing boats in Key West, Fla., and the Maine coast. Reg was an expert navigator and on most summer days he could be found boating with his family among the islands off of Heron looking for seals or a favorite swimming cove. When he wasn’t out on the water, he enjoyed sunbathing with his daughter, Holly. Reg was first and foremost a family man, a loving husband, father, brother and uncle. He cultivated and cherished a large network of devoted friends. Reg married Gena R. Canning in 2000 after a short courtship. The love that they shared was inspirational to their families and all of the people in their lives. They lived in South Portland before moving to Yarmouth in 2009. Although only in Yarmouth for a short time, Reg became a fixture at Yarmouth sporting events. The Yarmouth community welcomed and supported the Registers in countless ways – most notably, by arranging meals for the family of five during the past six months. The Registers thank the Yarmouth community and the teachers and staff at Yarmouth Elementary School for their kindness.
In addition to his wife, Reg is survived by his children, David M. Register, Holly C. Register and Christopher C. Register of Yarmouth; his brother, Samuel M. Register and wife, Elizabeth Kantor, of Hoboken, N.J.; his sister, Nancy R. Shepard and husband, William, of Wilbraham, Mass.; and 13 nieces and nephews. Reg also leaves behind the Mennealy and Canning families. He was predeceased by a sister, Diana H. Register, in 1971.
A memorial service will be held 2 p.m. Sunday, March 6, at First Parish Church, 425 Congress St., Portland. A reception will be afterward at Ocean Gateway, 14 Ocean Gateway Pier, Portland, www.ocean gatewayaine.org. Parking will be available at the Ocean Gateway Terminal with transportation provided to and from First Parish Church. Bus service will be available 12:30-1:30 p.m. from the Gateway Terminal. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Steve Register Tennis Fund, care of W. Cotton Damon, P.O. Box 252, South Bristol, ME 04568-0252. Please make checks payable to Heron Island Village Improvement Society, HIVIS.