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Steven Register Obituary

Steven L. 'Reg' Register, 54
YARMOUTH -- Steven L. 'Reg' Register, 54, died on March 1, 2011, from brain cancer at home surrounded by his family.
Born on May 9, 1956, in Hartford, Conn., he was the 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 B.A. 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 in Portland.
Reg served on the board of directors for Boys to Men, 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 the 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 on 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
Steven L. 'Reg'
Register
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 over the past six months. The Registers would like to thank the Yarmouth community and the teachers and staff at Yarmouth Elementary School for their kindness.
Besides 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. He was predeceased by a sister, Diana H. Register in 1971. Reg also leaves behind the Mennealy and Canning families.
A memorial service will be held on Sunday, March 6, at 2 p.m., at the First Parish Church at 425 Congress St., Portland. A reception will follow at the Ocean Gateway (www.oceangatewaymaine.org) at 14 Ocean Gateway Pier, Portland. Parking will be at the Ocean Gateway Terminal with transportation provided to and from the First Parish Church. Bus service will be available from 12:30-1:30 p.m. from the Gateway Terminal.
In lieu of flowers, memorial
contributions can be made to the Steve Register Tennis Fund.
Please make checks payable to:
Heron Island Village Improvement Society (HIVIS)
Care of W. Cotton Damon
P.O. Box 252
South Bristol, Maine 04568-0252

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Portland Press Herald/Maine Sunday Telegram from Mar. 3 to Mar. 4, 2011.

Memories and Condolences
for Steven Register

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March 12, 2011

Dave, we are so sorry to read about the passing of your father. Please accept our deepest sympathies.

Tom and Diane Parker
Fayetteville, NY

Anna Lyon

March 9, 2011

I was so sad to learn of Steve's passing. My condolences to Gena and the children, whom he obviously loved dearly. I knew Steve back in the early 1980s and, sadly, we didn't keep in touch. But I knew him to be a wonderful individual and I am not at all surprised that he would become a great family man. He is gone too soon.

John B Goodrich

March 7, 2011

To Gena and the Register Kids, We don't know each other, but I knew Steve through tennis, as a teammate on the 3.5 team at the Woodlands, and as an occasional partner. Steve had a beautiful game, especially that high forehand, a really difficult stroke. More importantly, of course, was his beautiful personality, always smiling and laughing. He was a very nice guy, and always fun to be with. And a terrific doubles partner. When I saw him this past Fall at the sidelines of the Yarmouth soccer field (my son was playing for Falmouth), we caught up. Initially, while continuing to be his usual affable self, he asked me how we knew each other, and apologized for the weakness of his memory. As we continued to talk--he spoke about how his cancer treatments were going, and how helpful everyone was--his memory of me came back to him. This extended moment was very moving for me. I repeat this anecdote to you, because for me, it typified the graciousness with which he always carried himself and treated others. I must add that I attended the service yesterday at First Parish, and was overwhelmed by the great outpouring of friendship and affection for Steve. So many people! And what a beautiful ceremony! And as Keith Canning said to me outside afterwards, "Reg was here today!" How Reg and his family lived, and how Reg died, especially as I grew to know it better yesterday, will be a great (and challenging) example for me. Thank you!

March 7, 2011

Dear Gena and Family,
The service was absolutely beautiful and Reggie would have been proud. My families prayers and thoughts are with you. God Bless
Cassie Babb & Family

Tom Hibbert

March 6, 2011

Dear Gena and Family,
I could not be at the service today,but please know you have been in my thoughts and prayers.

March 5, 2011

Gena-Prayers to you during this difficult time. - Douglas Gimbel.

Jennifer Jackson

March 5, 2011

Gena and Family,
I am so sorry for your loss, please know that my thoughts and prayers are with you.

March 5, 2011

Gena and family, Our thoughts and prayers are with you and all of your family, Ray and Mickey Patenaude

Mike & Angela Carleton

March 5, 2011

Reg,
I will always remember the warm, friendly smile you always had, when you walked into the room. You had a way of making everyone around you feel special, no matter what walk in life that person came from. Deepest thoughts & prayers for your loved ones. Rest in Peace, my friend.

Kimberly Ciardi (Sawtelle)

March 5, 2011

Gena and family,
When mom shared your loss with me this morning, I just wanted to send you a hug. Our family is thinking and praying for you.

Betsey Timm

March 4, 2011

Gena, I am so sorry for your loss. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. Enjoy your memories, fondly, Betsey

Rusty and Susan Pillsbury

March 4, 2011

Our thoughts and prayers are with your family during this very difficult time.

March 4, 2011

Gena and Family, we're so sorry for your
loss. Please know that you and your family are in our thoughts and prayers.
Love, Fred and Gloria Farrington

SANDY KELLY

March 4, 2011

May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.

Deborah Nowe

March 4, 2011

Gena, please know that we are praying for you and your family during this very difficult time. May God Bless you and your family! With love and prayers!
Debbie Nowe

March 4, 2011

Gena and Family,

The thoughts and prayers of the AG Maine employees are with you and your family during this very difficult time. While we didn't know Reg, reading about him gives one a sense that his life was lived to the fullest and he touched many people in positive ways.

Craig Burgess
Associated Grocers Maine

Andres Verzosa

March 4, 2011

I offer my most sincere and heartfelt condolences to you and your family on Reg's passing. My thoughts and prayers for Reg, you and your family behalf now and in the days to follow. Love, Andy V.

March 3, 2011

Our thoughts and prayers are with the Registers and extended family. Steve was a wonderful individual. His smile was truly something to write home about.
Amanda and Steve Bost

Deirdre O'Callaghan

March 3, 2011

Gena:

My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Your words about your husband and the love and joy he brought you moved me very much.

Chuck Emanuelli

March 3, 2011

Dave, Holly

So sorry to hear about your Dad's passing, it was always a pleasure talking and spending time with him

My thoughts are with you and your family

Chuck

Jim Watson

March 3, 2011

Holly, Dave, Chris and Gena, my thoughts are with you. I would frequently run into Steve in the Old Port, when we were both in search of good coffee in the afternoon. Steve was a great guy to run into; always a friendly smile, thoughtful conversation, and a calm way about him; traits worth carrying forward. Bless you all, Jim Watson.

Beverly Bisbee

March 3, 2011

Though I never had the opportunity to meet Steven, I know his fine son, Dave. My deepest condolences to each of you. May your friends, family, and faith comfort you as you remember your loved one.

John Mina

March 3, 2011

Dear Gena and family,
So sad to learn of Reg but inspired by how you all conducted yourselves through love, appreciation and grace. I have known Reg for exactly 30 years, one year before we were crazy enough to begin our careers in printing. Through all the years we would see each other less but when we did meet we would often have these heart to heart talks about our jobs, our struggles and life in general. Reg was always someone I felt comfortable confiding in. I will miss that and him very much. May his memory be eternal.

Sally Gilbert

March 3, 2011

To the family of Steve Register: Steve and I were Spanish majors at the University of Maine. His gift of linguistics was flawless and his accent was beautiful. We attended the University of Seville at the same time and he was a true "caballero"... He always had a smile that would light up the room. He was a great classmate and was friends with everyone. I am truly sorry to hear of your loss. Sally B. Gilbert, UMO '78 Spanish Teacher, Goodyear, AZ

March 3, 2011

Gena, Dave and Holly,
So so saddened by this news. I truly thought Reg might be the "miracle one". I have so many fond memories. Please know that we are sending you much love and warm thoughts. Jane Monaghan, Sam Robinson and family

Mark&Dianne Gimbel

March 3, 2011

Dianne and I were saddened to hear the news. We cannot attend the service because we are still on Hilton Head but our prayers are with you and your family. He had one hell of a smile!
With Sympathy,
Mark and Dianne Gimbel

David Costa

March 3, 2011

Dear Reg-
I see the images clearly...we are in a boat, motoring out to Heron Island, it is a beautifully sunny autumn day, and you are speaking in the peaceful gentle way which was your wont...I see us walking in the woods on the Island, seeing your family cottage, your telling me the stories of all the many years your family had enjoyed it there...

Now we are standing in front of Portland City Hall, in May, 2010, and we are talking about God, about compassion, about attentive listening to those in need, about the light you carry wherever you go...that memory is strong, as if the conversation merely happened yesterday...

Now I hear you in an assembled group of men, speaking of your life experience, talking about carrying on in the face of difficulties of prior years, or the amazing gifts life has given you, all in the room are listening with fascination and awareness...

Now we are in your house in South Portland, watching football, Joe you and I, and I remark quietly to myself how friendly and welcoming and warm your home is...

I walked along the path with you, from time to time, from 1994 until you departed this mortal coil...
I mean to tell you of the light you have ever carried, of the inspiration you have ever been, of the goodness and grace with which you walked all the way from beginning to venturing into the spiritual plane of being...

So then Reg, I mean to say "thank you" for the luminescent goodness of you, and to say to you that I am humbly grateful to have spent a bit of time with you along the way

May God bless and keep you always, the heavenly gathering will be overflowing with joy because of your arrival, saying, "now we know what the fuss was all about on earth, this one really was an angel"

Rest in Peace, precious friend

Thomas & Hervé

March 3, 2011

Dear Gena, All good thoughts to you and the family. We were both very saddened to hear of Reg's passing. So many good images of the two of you together. Thank you for this. Much love, Thomas & Hervé

March 3, 2011

Dear Gena ~

This verse was sent to our family and it meant alot to us. Reg will always be with you. I will miss seeing Steve and our periodic chats on the park bench in the Old Port. All my love, Kate Shorey Kelly

Death is nothing at all … I have only slipped away into the next room … I am I and you are you … whatever we were to each other, that we are still.

Call me by my old familiar name, speak to me in the easy way which you always used. Put no difference into your tone, wear no forced air of solemnity or sorrow.

Laugh as we always laughed at the little jokes we enjoyed together. Play, smile, think of me, pray for me.

Let my name be ever the household word that it always was. Let it be spoken without effect, without the ghost of a shadow in it.

Life means all that it ever meant. It is the same as it ever was, there is absolutely unbroken continuity. What is this death but a negligible accident?

Why should I be out of mind because I am out of sight? I am just waiting for you, for an interval, somewhere very near, just around the corner … All is well.

Canon Henry Scott Holland (1847-1918)

Layne Gregory

March 3, 2011

Dear Gina and Dave, Reg was such a source of warmth and wisdom on the Boys to Men board. His dedication to his children (especially you, Dave, and Christopher) fueled his passion for the work of supporting the healthy development of boys. I miss his smile, laugh and earnestness. My thoughts and affection are with you and your entire family.

scott winchester

March 3, 2011

Gena, please accept my deepest condolences for your loss. Though my encounters with Reg were typically brief, he was always engaging, and had a smile that lit up the room. Peace be with you and your family.

Bruce Erwin Johnson

March 3, 2011

Reg will live in my heart forever. The gifts of kindness, honestly and generousity which came in such a beautifully wrapped package will benefit everyone I touch. Reg was a lovingly quiet man of integrity. The world would be a better place if there were more souls like him.

Elisabeth Vose-Gimbel

March 3, 2011

Gena, Our prayers are with you. What a truly inspirational life you shared with Reg. Much love, Beth & The Vose-Gimbel Family

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