Gregory Steven Canby, a skilled amateur pool player, died Thursday at his Severna Park home of undetermined causes. He was 31.

Mr. Canby, known as Greg, lived in Severna Park all his life. In 1990, he graduated from Severna Park High School, where he played soccer. He received certification as a fiber-optic technician from Anne Arundel Community College and had worked in the fiber-optic field.

As a member of American Poolplayers Association and Mid-Atlantic Pool Association, Mr. Canby taught other players and coached his teams during competitions.

"It was very hard to beat him," said Dixie Perry of Odenton, a league teammate for six years. "There's no replacement for him."

In the APA's Nation's Capitol league area, which includes Southern Maryland, Washington and Virginia, Mr. Canby was a "super seven" in eight-ball games -- he had the highest handicap possible on a scale from 2 to 7. Only 5 percent of the 6,000 players in the league achieve that level. He was also an accomplished nine-ball player.

"He was one of the best," said Lee Tiani, Nation's Capitol league operator.

Mr. Canby also enjoyed skiing, and fishing with his yellow Labrador retriever, Whisper. He loved animals and had more than 10 lizards.

A funeral Mass will be offered at 11 a.m. Saturday at the Church of St. John the Evangelist, 689 Ritchie Highway in Severna Park.

He is survived by his parents, Charles Walter Canby and Mary Ann Canby of Severna Park; his grandfather, Charles Canby of Severna Park; and his sister, Denise Davidson of Lansdale, Pa.