Gregory George Lalish

May 22, 1949 – Nov. 23, 2018

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Greg was born in Berwyn, Illinois, and grew up in Downers Grove, Illinois. He was co-valedictorian of his high school class and earned a bachelor of science degree in geology from Missouri School of Mines at Rolla.

In 1973, he married Paula Weyman and adopted her son, Reuben. They moved to New Hampshire, where he worked as a production potter in his brother’s stoneware studio.

They moved to Marshall, California in 1975. Their daughter, Signe, was born there the following year.

That summer, the family purchased 5 acres on Marrowstone Island. Another son, Emmett, was born there in 1985.

In the 1980s, he joined the Chimacum Fire Department as a volunteer firefighter and served for 20 years.

Greg spent his working years as a builder. Alhough he mastered domestic code carpentry, his heart was in natural building with indigenous materials. For many summers, he taught carpentry at the Cob Cottage School in Coquille, Oregon.

He had a deep affinity for natural history - in particular, geology and native plants. He maintained a network of paths through his own woods, which connected to nearby beaches and the homes of friends.

In 2016, Greg and Paula were named Marrowstone Island Citizens of the Year.

He died of lymphoma at Swedish Hospital in Seattle.

Greg is survived by Paula and by their children, Reuben, Signe Rose, her husband Trevor, and their children, Orson and Eowyn; Emmett, his wife, Kay, and their children, Lydia and Annan.

He is also survived by his brother Jeff, sister Elizabeth and their families.

A memorial gathering will be held at 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 15 at the Quimper Unitarian Universalist Fellowship sanctuary, 2333 San Juan Ave. Port Townsend. A potluck will follow; all are welcome.

Should you wish to make a memorial donation, please consider the Jefferson Land Trust, 1033 Lawrence St., Port Townsend, WA 98368, or some other entity which works to preserve open spaces, clean air/water or sustainable food production.