City lowers flag, pays tribute at passing of former Councillor Paddy Greene

The Flag at Prince Rupert City Hall is at half staff today in memory
of former City Councillor Paddy Greene

The City of Prince Rupert has offered its condolences to the family and paid tribute to the life of Paddy Greene, with word of his passing on Friday, spurring many memories of the long time member of the community.

 Mr. Green who served two terms on Prince Rupert City Council was born in Smithers in November of 1942, the son of Dr. LM Greene and his wife, who moved his family to the community in 1948, marking the starting point for Paddy Greene's long running commitment to Prince Rupert and the North Coast.

One of the legendary figures on the Prince Rupert waterfront through the seventies and eighties he served in a number of capacities in the commercial fishery over the years first as a boat owner, and then, to name just a few of his adventures,  through time with the Prince Rupert Fishermen's Co-op and as a member of the Pacific Salmon Treaty where he served as a Commissioner.

Former City Councillor Paddy Greene, a figure well known
on the Prince Rupert waterfront and in the fishing industry passed
away on May 17th
(Photo from Facebook celebration of Life post)

Mr. Greene's two terms in municipal elected office came in 1996 and 1999, and much of his time on City Council would see him bring a strong advocacy for the fishery and the people employed in it around the North Coast.

He made one final run for office back in 2008 but on that occasion came up short on the ballot, but many of his themes of the day remain very true today.

During the course of the 2008 campaign, Mr. Greene spoke out about some of the handling of civic functions at the time,  calling for proper accountability, full disclosure and a better understanding of conflict of interest by municipal leaders.

He was also known for his rather unusual role in the creation of a Prince Rupert Bar Band staple the Santa Maria, originally composed and performed by Trooper, since covered by many; the Band made note of Mr. Greene's passing with a tribute of the band's own posted to their official Facebook page, included as part of that tribute was the recollection of local writer Bruce Wishart on the Trooper/Greene connection.

More on that iconic Prince Rupert moment can be explored from Wishart's original work here.

The City's tribute can be reviewed here, while an article posted to the Memory BC project offers up a bit more background on his life on the North Coast.

A celebration of life has been announced for June 1st at the Highliner Inn.

To return to the most recent blog posting of the day, click here.