'Sir' Roy Lindsay-Morrow's Maritime Swan Song

Roy Lindsay-Morrow, a native of Scotland referred to as "Sir Roy" and affectionately called "Uncle Roy" by many in the maritime village of Greenport, has become a household name here, whether he likes it or not. 

He says he likes to keep a low profile, but doing so has proved difficult for Lindsay-Morrow, especially since he has spent more than a half a million dollars over the past few years to back one of Greenport's biggest yearly events — the annual Maritime Festival, the 21st of which kicks off with a cocktail reception on Friday, and runs through the weekend.

Lindsay-Morrow's generous contribution to this year's event may top them all, which is quite fitting because it will likely be his last. 

"I'm the lunatic that sponsors all of the pipe bands that march in the Grand Parade," he said in an interview last week. "Since this will be my last year, I wanted it to be really special."

Lindsay-Morrow helps pay the airfare, hotel rooms and other travel costs for 11 bagpipe units from as far away as South Africa. New York City Police Commissioner Raymond W. Kelly will walk in this year's parade, and a movie star who Lindsay-Morrow would refer to only as "Sir Sean" will also make an appearance.

Lindsay-Morrow, who came to the U.S. from Scotland in 1956, said that he started bringing pipe bands to march in the Grand Parade several years ago, in an effort to "breathe life" back into the Maritime Festival.

"I do it because I fell in love with Greenport when I met George and John Costello and Bill Claudio, because they made me feel like family," Lindsay-Morrow said. "I wanted to do something because they have always been great to support the village. I wanted to do the same."

Bill Claudio, proprietor of landmark Greenport restaurant Claudio's, said that Lindsay-Morrow's commitment to the village is heartfelt.

"He wanted to give back to this community and he was in a fortunate place to do so," Claudio said. "Some people thought he was too involved, but that is because of his spirit and his desire to go 'all out.'  I'm gonna be sorry to see him no longer involved."

Lindsay-Morrow admitted that he and his wife Nancy have given all of the financial support they can give — and they have had enough.

"It has just become too much," he explained.  "We actually turned down pipe bands that wanted to participate this year, because it was already too epic."

Lindsay-Morrow said that making pipe bands a part of the festival was fitting in the spirit of John Paul Jones, father of this country's Navy and native of Scotland. He hopes the festival and its Grand Parade will become more multi-cultural in the future and that more community members contribute financially.

And although "Uncle Roy" is stepping down from the festival, he said he has no intention of leaving his beloved Greenport.

"This damned place is stuck with me," he said.