Meet Bob and Lillian White, 2011 Maritime Festival Grand Marshals

Now into their 80s, Bob and Lillian White are still popular figures in and still very involved in their community they both have always loved.

Bob, 85, is a World War II veteran, has been a member of the for 65 years and still attends meetings and responds to alarms.

Lillian, 84, has been a lifelong nurse and served for years in the Auxiliary. Both owned in Greenport until 1991 and both were key players in the restoration of , which was destroyed by fire in 1963.

Bob and Lillian have been married for 63 years and are great supporters of the , the organization who sponsors theand chose the couple to be grand marshals this year.

North Fork Patch had a quick chat with the ever-humble Bob White on Wednesday.

Patch: How do you feel about being co-grand marshal of the Greenport Maritime Festival?

White: I know I’ve lived here all my life, but it still came as complete surprise. I don’t normally go to the Maritime Festival.

Patch: What do you think of the festival?

White: Well, I know it’s getting bigger every year, and I understand that last year had more of an emphasis on classic wooden boats, and I’m very glad to see that from the museum.

Patch: So you still go out on calls with the fire department?

White: I don’t go out on the trucks anymore but I’ll go to the firehouse on an alarm. I still attend the monthly meetings and I’m part of the fundraising committee and scholarship committee.

Patch: Could you sum up how you have seen Greenport change over the years?

White: Like everything else, the whole picture has changed, with all the new restaurants and the parking situation getting bad. We don’t get the commercial boats anymore like we used to but the marina is coming back, which is good. But it’s a whole different ballgame these days.

Patch: But hasn’t Greenport retained some of that remote fishing portside town charm?

White: Oh yes, especially in the wintertime. I just don’t want another winter like last winter. But you know, there’s a reason I’ve lived here all my life. We survive.

Patch: For years, you’ve been actively involved in the business community, Eastern Long Island Hospital’s board of directors, Greenport Village Board and Planning Board, Floyd Memorial Library’s board, the East End Seaport Museum … what’s been your motivation?

White: Well, I have a great love for Greenport. Oh, and you forgot the Stirling Historical Society …

Patch: Sorry. Did I miss anything else?

White: [Laughs] If you were to name it, I’ve probably been involved. Any little thing … I’ve been glad to help.

See Bob and Lillian White lead the opening day parade of the starting at 11 a.m. on Saturday.