Steven L. (“Reg”) Register, 54, of Yarmouth, died from brain cancer on March 1 at home surrounded by his family. Born May 9, 1956 in Hartford, Conn., he was a 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, Deep River Production, Maine Printing, 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 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.
He was predeceased by a sister, Diana H. Register in 1971.
Besides his wife, Reg is survived by his children, David M. Register, Holly C. Register and Christopher C. Register of Yarmouth; brother, Samuel M. Register and wife Elizabeth Kantor of Hoboken, N.J.; sister, Nancy R. Shepard and husband William of Wilbraham, Mass.; 13 nieces and nephews; and Mennealy and Canning families.
Memorial service 2 p.m., Sun., March 6 at the First Parish Church, 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 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 may be made to the Steve Register Tennis Fund. Please make checks payable to Heron Island Village Improvement Society (HIVIS) c/o W. Cotton Damon, P.O. Box 252, South Bristol, ME 04568-0252.
Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.ctcrawford.com.
Arrangements by Conroy-Tully Crawford Funeral Home, 172 State St., Portland.
