Quill Gordon
03-27-2009, 01:33 PM
From Jim Cummins, Interstate Commission on the Potomac River Basin American shad restoration project:
The Passing of Louis Harley:
I am sad to report that Louis Harley lost his battle with pancreatic cancer. He passed away peacefully yesterday, March 18, at his home in the company of his family. He was 78 years old. He was a fortunate man to have such a good, loving family. Condolences may be sent to: JoAnn Harley and Family, 5813 Hallowing Drive, Lorton, Va. 22079
Louis worked hard all of his life, earning a tough living on the Potomac through some of the river’s roughest years to seeing it burst again with life. To him, the river was not only a beautiful sanctuary, it is life’s blood for many people. As he helped restore the American shad to the Potomac, he simultaneously bridged divides between the young and old, between the concerns of commerce and those of the environment, and between those living on the river's edge to those living upon distant watershed ridges.
Louis was ever ready to do whatever he could if it would help restore the American shad or the Potomac River. His polite and gentlemanly demeanor always elicited admiration from scientists, the hundreds of volunteers, thousands of students and their teachers, and all involved in the shad restoration project. Louis was happy to see more and more people, especially the young, becoming aware of the American shad, it’s importance to the economy, history and ecological vibrancy of the Potomac River, the Chesapeake Bay, and the entire east coast. The success of the project has helped bring regional and national attention to the value of protecting and restoring fisheries resources. This would not have been possible without Louis’ efforts, experience, and his grand, fatherly presence.
Commercial fishermen, scientists and recreational anglers are often at odds, but in large part because of Louis’ involvement, we have all worked together to great success with the Potomac's American shad restoration. Louis provided not only his valuable experience and expertise, he brought compassion and insight that have been inspirational to all involved. Everyone who met Louis remarked about how he was such a gentleman, a fount of river knowledge, and a significant cultural resource. He was a fifth generation waterman, and through those generations, in addition to blood, Potomac water coursed through his veins.
Louis Harley was a humble man who deserves great gratitude for his work on the restoration of the American shad and our appreciation of the Potomac River. He was a solid family man.
Louis’ life was rich but not measured by material possessions, his was measured as one both enduring and rewarding. He lay out nets. He was a fisherman.
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The Passing of Louis Harley:
I am sad to report that Louis Harley lost his battle with pancreatic cancer. He passed away peacefully yesterday, March 18, at his home in the company of his family. He was 78 years old. He was a fortunate man to have such a good, loving family. Condolences may be sent to: JoAnn Harley and Family, 5813 Hallowing Drive, Lorton, Va. 22079
Louis worked hard all of his life, earning a tough living on the Potomac through some of the river’s roughest years to seeing it burst again with life. To him, the river was not only a beautiful sanctuary, it is life’s blood for many people. As he helped restore the American shad to the Potomac, he simultaneously bridged divides between the young and old, between the concerns of commerce and those of the environment, and between those living on the river's edge to those living upon distant watershed ridges.
Louis was ever ready to do whatever he could if it would help restore the American shad or the Potomac River. His polite and gentlemanly demeanor always elicited admiration from scientists, the hundreds of volunteers, thousands of students and their teachers, and all involved in the shad restoration project. Louis was happy to see more and more people, especially the young, becoming aware of the American shad, it’s importance to the economy, history and ecological vibrancy of the Potomac River, the Chesapeake Bay, and the entire east coast. The success of the project has helped bring regional and national attention to the value of protecting and restoring fisheries resources. This would not have been possible without Louis’ efforts, experience, and his grand, fatherly presence.
Commercial fishermen, scientists and recreational anglers are often at odds, but in large part because of Louis’ involvement, we have all worked together to great success with the Potomac's American shad restoration. Louis provided not only his valuable experience and expertise, he brought compassion and insight that have been inspirational to all involved. Everyone who met Louis remarked about how he was such a gentleman, a fount of river knowledge, and a significant cultural resource. He was a fifth generation waterman, and through those generations, in addition to blood, Potomac water coursed through his veins.
Louis Harley was a humble man who deserves great gratitude for his work on the restoration of the American shad and our appreciation of the Potomac River. He was a solid family man.
Louis’ life was rich but not measured by material possessions, his was measured as one both enduring and rewarding. He lay out nets. He was a fisherman.
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