The Walnutport Canal Association recently dedicated a gazebo in memory of Greg Soltis for his 35 years of service to the Walnutport Canal.

Soltis died Feb. 12 at the age of 75. He had suffered from Alzheimer’s disease.

The gazebo is located alongside the Locktender’s House at the Walnutport Canal, Lehigh Street.

His sister Gloria spoke about the house that Soltis bought on South Canal Street in Walnutport.

It was an old Indian Museum that he worked hard to modernize.

Soltis put a wraparound porch on the house so he could sit and drink his coffee and just study the surroundings of the canal, wildlife and the train that ran behind his house.

After dinner he would take peaceful walks along the canal.

His favorite movie was “Field of Dreams.”

Soltis was best described by adapting a favorite line from that movie to: “If you build it, Greg will come.”

He helped everyone with everything they were working on in the neighborhood.

He was a member of the Canal Association, Walnutport Playground Association, the Slatington Rotary and a member of the Assumption BVM Church of Slatington.

Soltis also was an avid Phillies fan.

He helped to make and put up the Little Free Library that is near the gazebo, in honor of Candace McBride, who passed away in 2011. Candace’s mother, Donna Olinger, was his neighbor.

She said, “Greg was just such a kind and helpful man. He will certainly be in heaven.”