REG GREEN’S HERITAGE

Reg Green didn’t just help start a herring saltery in Crippen Cove in 1907 and serve this coast with his tug “San Juan Prince”, he also made his mark on some fine people.

Aunt Chris Green is Reg’s daughter-in-law, and a pretty special person.
Chris is the last Green of her generation left in Prince Rupert. Right now she’s on her way to the scout jamboree in England. She has the Silver Wolf award, and rarely misses gatherings of scouts from around the world.

Every year we sail and picnic with Chris and her foster grandchildren. We’ve had adventures at Lucy Island, Crippen Cove, Pilsbury Cove, and Salt Lake. Here we are on Tugwell Island.

Picnic on Tugwell Island

Sailing with cousin Bill and Bobbie Crane

Lucy Island Salmon Bake

This sailing trip was a rediscovery journey. It’s been 20 years since cousins Bill and Thomas have seen each other. They kept discovering little things they have in common, and how much each was imprinted by going out on the troller "Earl Roy" with Grampa as teenage deck hands. They share an appreciation of wildlife, food gathering, quiet solitude, and a joy in solving puzzles – mechanical, navigational, whatever comes up.


Jo-Lynda Hill is Reg Green’s great granddaughter. When she’s not at her demanding job as wharfinger of the Prince Rupert Rowing and Yacht Club, with daughter and assistant Stephanie, we love to have Jo-Linda join us on La Sonrisa. Here’s Jo helping out at the Crippen cabin.

Somehow, Jo seems to be there in the challenges. She helped us make a trail through the salmonberry thickets on Lucy Island, we laughed together waiting for the tide to lift us off Devastation Island bar, remembering earlier escapades on Tugwell beach. We’ve enjoyed seafood feasts and beautiful coastal sunsets, and weathered some sad times. Niece Jo-Lynda Hill is a daughter of this coast, 100 years on the Green side, 1000’s of years on her Tsimpsean heritage side.

The waters around Prince Rupert have known many Greens. Cousin Rob and Sharon wave from their gillnetter Ganhada. Nephew Owen toots his horn on his way to the Khutzemateen as skipper of the tour boat Georgia Master. Uncle Bud’s ashes were spread in his favourite crabbing bay in Metlakatla Pass.

Thomas’ mom, Helen Harding, is Reg Green’s daughter. This summer is a special time of remembering Ken and Helen Harding. We will be spreading their ashes in Crippen Cove next month.