Rivtow was just a three-boat log-towing operation when Lucille Johnstone came aboard as an unskilled girl Friday in the late 1940s. By the 1980s, Rivtow had taken over its biggest rival to become one of the giants of the marine transportation industry with connections worldwide, and Lucille was the driving force behind its success. As the company grew she worked her way from receptionist to secretary to dispatcher to administrator to CEO and finally, to president. A remarkable feat for a woman in those times, and made even more remarkable in that her unlikely success took place in the male-dominated world of towboating.

Lucille Johnstone was as legendary for her kindness and social conscience as she was for her clever negotiating and creative deal making. Because of her selflessness, she unfortunately did not think it necessary to secure her position in the corporation she helped to build, ending up on the outside looking in after a generational shift of ownership. Putting that behind her, Lucille went on with life, this time as a driving force behind Expo 86, the new Vancouver International Airport and St. John Ambulance, among a number of other businesses and charities. Lucille's many recognitions include an honorary doctorate from UBC as a Woman of Distinction, and being named to both the Order of British Columbia and the Order of Canada.

Paul Levy was born in Jamaica, moved to England, then back to Jamaica after high school to qualify as a solicitor. He came to Canada in the seventies, requalified in his profession and in 1981 became a partner in the New Westminster law firm of McQuarrie Hunter. Levy retired as partner in 2005 but continues to practice as associate counsel for the firm. River Queen is his first book.

Paul Levy's profile page

"...anyone interested in the history of business in British Columbia will love this book."
—Catherine Dook, Boat Journal

Boat Journal

"Paul Levy has done British Columbia a great service by writing this biography of Lucille Johnstone... He has the accomplished author's knack of writing plain, unvarnished literature prose that produces a page turner."
--David Roberts, Q.C., The Advocate

The Advocate

"The biography is written engagingly...Levy covers [Tugboat Titan Lucille Johnstone's] life in a style that shows he knows and respect his readers almost as much as his subject. It's a good read about a special woman."
--Cherie Thiessen, Mariner Life

Mariner Life

River Queen: The Amazing Story of Tugboat Titan Lucille Johnstone

The story of Lucille Johnstone’s meteoric rise from secretary to President and CEO of River Towing is told through narrative mixed with transcripts of taped conversations with Lucille and her colleagues. River Queen details the circumstances that led to Lucille taking a job with River Towing and how she helped build it into one of the largest and most diversified private enterprises in British Columbia. Besides her work with River Towing, Lucille also served on the board of directors for Expo ‘86, the Vancouver Airport Authority, BC Ferries, the Fraser River Discovery Centre Society and St. John Ambulance. Lucille’s story is an inspiration to business people everywhere, both men and women.

Levy worked with Lucille Johnstone on the board of the Fraser River Discovery Centre Society.

Caution: Infrequent use of profanity.