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About Seaside signal. (Seaside, Or.) 1905-current | View Entire Issue (Aug. 31, 2018)
August 31, 2018 • Seaside Signal • seasidesignal.com • 3A Local crews make a difference fighting wildfires Clatsop County firefighters respond to fires across the state Seaside Fire hosts fundraiser, barbecue By Brenna Visser Seaside Signal Seaside Signal Cannon Beach volunteer firefighter Jordan Spencer re- members watching the Eagle Creek Fire on TV last year, feeling frustrated as he watched the blaze ravage the Columbia River Gorge. All he wanted to do is help. So when Spencer got the call to respond to the South Valley fire earlier this month, he was excited. “It was my chance to do something,” he said. Spencer was one of dozens of Clatsop County firefighters to be deployed to fires around the state so far this summer. This summer alone, four task forces have been sent to help combat the Substation, South Valley and Memaloose 2 fires. Before 2017, it was uncom- mon for a local firefighter to get called out to a fire outside the county. Last year was a record-setting year, with more than 50 firefighters being sent to fight multiple fires in Ore- gon and California. Now, with three conflagration calls al- ready under their belts before mid-August, this year is on pace to be just as busy. The South Valley fire in Du- fur was Max Savage’s first fire outside of the county. When his name was called out at a drill practice that he was slat- ed to go and had a half hour to get ready, Savage wasn’t sure what to expect. But when he showed up to the scene at about 1 a.m., he didn’t have to wonder long. The annual Seaside Fire and Rescue barbe- cue fundraiser takes place Saturday, Sept. 8, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. All proceeds go to- wards tools, equipment and training to help Sea- side Fire and Rescue Vol- unteers better serve the community. Last year the department responded to 1,495 calls and participat- ed in 84 drills. Along with the barbecue, the fundrais- er features a bounce house and prizes. The fundraiser takes place at the firehouse, 150 S. Lincoln, Seaside. PHOTO COURTESY OF JOSH COMO EVE MARX Water rescue equipment on display at the Seaside Safety Fair. Trucks, prizes and more will be high- lighted at the fundraiser. Josh Como, James Hutchinson and Lindsey Wolfe take a break while fighting the Memaloose2 Fire. The task force was immedi- ately sent out to patrol, where Savage encountered a large spot fire and got his first chance engage a wildfire directly. Over the course of four days, the main task for the task force was to patrol for spot fires and protect homes before the fire would approach them by clearing out surrounding brush and wetting down yards and rooftops. But during the night of Aug. 2, the taskforce was sent out to a road that turned out to be one of the main fronts of the now con- tained 20,000-acre fire. Spencer remembers all of the task forces falling silent, as everyone start- ed to pull line and prepare for the flames creeping forward 200 yards away. Eventually, the wind shifted in their favor. “We don’t normally end up right in front of the flame front,” Spencer said. “It’s a very surreal experience to have flames shooting up over the tree line at you.” One of the most rewarding aspects of the job is getting to meet the community you’re serving Savage said. In Dufur, much of what was being pro- tected was farmland, and task force members were working often working side by side with ranchers. “Getting to work with the ranchers was such a rewarding experience. They don’t have a bunch of rules and standards to follow like we do. They are just kind of winging it with their own equipment, Savage said. “It was amazing to see them risk their own work trucks and lives to help out their neighbors.” Though the days and nights are long, often ending only in a few hours of sleep in a tent, what makes going on trips difficult is rarely the firefighting itself. For James Hutchinson of Gearhart Volunteer Fire De- partment, watching someone’s cash crop singe into black dust was often a humbling and somber experience. “I remember on one fire someone came up to me and asked to use my phone to call home. Their phone wasn’t working and they needed to let someone know the farm was gone,” Hutchinson said. “In those moments you take a step into their shoes, and it can be hard. But you have to make it a motivation and remember you are there to help.” Gearhart Fire Lt. Josh Como, who has been deployed three times and in three weeks, said often what is more diffi- cult is what is left behind at home. Finding employers who are flexible enough to allow unplanned deployments, as well as balancing family dy- namics, can be a challenge. “Life goes on while you are out there,” Como said. “Every- thing is going on at home, plus the people you love are worry- ing about whether you’re OK. That’s why it’s important to take lots of photos to let them know you’re safe.” But any challenges are overshadowed by what every- one agreed was the best part of the job: gratitude. “You see these things hap- pen on TV, but until you’re ac- tually there, meeting the people you’re helping face to face... that kind of gratitude you can’t understand or see unless you’re there.”While there may be some inconvenience, Cannon Beach Fire Chief Matt Bene- dict thinks the connections and skills volunteers bring back from these trips make Clatsop County more prepared overall. “A lot of the citizens are thanking us for helping out, and offering to be there for us if we ever need help,” Benedict said. “I love getting to send people out. You don’t get to use all those skills you spend training for until you’re out there.” Robert Allan Coate Elizabeth Gail Gazewood Seaside July 24, 1941 — Aug. 17, 2018 Warrenton Dec. 2, 1937 — Aug. 19, 2018 Robert Allan Coate was born to Walter in the Cannon Beach Community Church. Augustus and Velma Devone Dick Coate in Robert loved children, the outdoors, Portland, Oregon. learning and teaching, but above all else he He graduated from Madison High School, loved life, and he loved people. received his bachelor of arts degree He was preceded in death by his in health science from Ottawa Uni- parents and a niece, Cindy. versity, and a master’s degree in He is survived by his wife, health administration from Alme- Shirley; daughters Susan (Rich- ard) Greller and Sheryl (Kather- da University. Robert continually ine) Coate; grandchildren Judd sought learning opportunities, and (Ruth) Jones, Jacob (Cori) Jones, also attended Portland Community Haley Coate and Shawn Har- College, Multnomah School of the rington; great-grandson Jasper Bible and the Mayo Clinic School James Wells; sister Jacie (Jerry) of Anesthesia. During an illustrious 30-year McQuinn; niece Kristen Vogeli; career as a certified registered Robert Coate brother Walter “Butch” (Cherri) nurse anesthetist, primarily in Coate; nephews Robert Coate and small rural hospitals, Robert was Christopher Coate; niece Summer also in the Army Reserves, from which he Coate; and sister-in-law and brother-in-law retired as a lieutenant colonel. At one point, Jon and Ruth Ann Newton and their children he was the commander of a Mobile Army Christi, Andrea, Matthew and Tim. Surgical Hospital (MASH) unit in Wiscon- A celebration of life will be held at the sin which was comprised of over 100 indi- Cannon Beach Community Church at a later vidual soldiers. Of all of Robert’s career ac- date. complishments, he was especially proud of In lieu of flowers, donations may be made the three times that he was able to deliver to Lewy Body research, Cannon Beach Com- munity Church or Lower Columbia Hospice. a baby. Robert served as a deacon in the Presby- Please visit hughes-ransom.com to sign terian Church of Hereford, Texas, as well as the online guest book. Elizabeth Gazewood passed away peacefully while Robert finished college at Fresno State. at her home in Surf Pines, at the age of 80, on In November 1980, Elizabeth and Robert Aug. 19, 2018, with her husband and daughter moved to Clatsop County, where they built their present. Elizabeth was afflicted with advancing home in the Surf Pines community in 1982. Elizabeth was a devoted and lov- Alzheimer’s, but a CT scan taken on ing wife, mother and grandmother, July 13, 2018, revealed that Elizabeth and she is deeply missed. She loved had colon cancer that had spread to animals and birds, flowers, gardening her liver, which resulted in her death. and was staunchly pro-life. Elizabeth was born to Thomas Earl She was an avid reader of books of and Callie Hazel Cornelius in Sanger, all subject matters, with many books California, on Dec. 2, 1937, being related to her Irish heritage. Elizabeth the third of six children. Preceded in was the consummate Irish lady with death by her brother, Thomas Corne- lius Jr., Elizabeth is survived by her her wit, sense of humor, laughter, husband of 58-plus years, Robert; smiling eyes and mischievous smile. Elizabeth son Bob Jr.; daughter Kathleen Lead- Elizabeth was always giving to Gazewood er; granddaughter Molly Gazewood; others, as she dedicated many long hours of volunteer work for charity sister Helen Marquardt; and brothers groups, such as the Providence Seaside Hospital Kenneth, James and John. Following her graduation from Sanger High Auxiliary, serving as secretary, vice president, School in June 1954, Elizabeth enrolled in the president and buyer for the gift shop. Elizabeth pre-nursing program at Reedley College in Reed- single-handedly organized, typed and edited a ley, California. Elizabeth completed her nursing cook book for the auxiliary for fundraising pur- studies and training at the Highland School of poses in 2007. In 2004, Elizabeth joined the Society of St. Nursing in Oakland, California, in January 1959, and moved to Seattle, Washington, to practice as Vincent de Paul Conference at Our Lady of Vic- a registered nurse at Virginia Mason Hospital. tory Catholic Church, providing food and finan- Elizabeth’s love for children caused her to spe- cial assistance to the poor and needy. Elizabeth cialize in pediatrics. volunteered at the St. Vincent de Paul Confer- Elizabeth and Robert met in May 1959 at an ence food pantry, and at St. Mary Star of the Sea Arthur Murray dance party for ballroom dancing in Astoria, also. A funeral mass was held at Our Lady of Vic- students, and were married on Nov. 21, 1959, at the Shrine of St. Therese Catholic Church in tory Catholic Church in Seaside, Oregon. Grave- Fresno, California, and throughout their mar- side services took place at Evergreen Cemetery, riage they exhibited their love of dancing togeth- south of Seaside, 33395 Beerman Creek Road. er. Memorial donations may be made to Our In 1960, they moved to Santa Monica, Cali- Lady of Victory St. Vincent de Paul Conference, fornia, and Elizabeth practiced at St. John’s Hos- Seaside, Oregon, or to St. Mary, Star of the Sea pital, the hospital frequented by Hollywood stars. St. Vincent de Paul Conference, Astoria, Oregon. Funeral arrangements are in the care of Before moving to Olympia, Washington, in July 1966, and practicing at St. Peter’s Hospital, Eliz- Hughes-Ransom Mortuary and Crematory, Sea- abeth and Robert lived in Fresno, California, and side, Oregon. Please visit hughes-ransom.com to Elizabeth practiced at Valley Children’s Hospital sign the online guest book. William ‘Bill’ Thomas Park Vancouver, Washington Dec. 9, 1935 — Aug. 12, 2018 After a long battle with Alzheimer’s diate and extended. disease, William “Bill” Park passed away He adored his nieces and nephews, and peacefully in his sleep on Aug. 12, 2018. was always the first to tell a corny joke. The fifth of seven children, Bill grew up He never missed an opportunity to throw a off Rosemont Road in West Linn. football with one of his grandchil- dren, he happily sang in the church A part of the original family home- stead is now Marylhurst Heights choir with his wife, and he loved to Park. travel with his family and friends. He was part of a large, loving Bill and Kathy loved Hawaii and family who valued serving others. Mexico; some of their best adven- tures were their travels to Europe. He graduated from Our Lady of the Ireland, in particular, was a fa- Lake Elementary School, and went vorite. Sunday drives with all the on to high school at Mount Angel children were always memorable. Seminary. After high school, Bill If the family passed a fruit tree or met the love of his life, Kathleen, William Park berry bush, Bill could never resist while they were attending Mon- mouth College. He then went on stopping the car and sampling. Life to get his law degree at Lewis will never be the same without Bill and Clark Law School. After law school, he Park. worked in downtown Portland as a deputy Bill is survived by his loving wife of 55 district attorney. years, Kathleen Paque Park; his daughter, In 1972, he moved his family to Gearhart, Lisa Mistell (husband Greg); his son, John Oregon, where he served as the district at- (wife Kenna); his sister, Roseanne Kloft; torney of Clatsop County. A decade later, he his brother, John; and his grandchildren, and his family returned to Portland, where he Ryan, Jackie, Christian and Michael. continued to practice law. He was preceded in death by his parents, Bill’s strength and love came from serv- Morton and Odelia; his brothers, Mike, Jim, ing, which he continued to do later in life Morton and David; and his beautiful daugh- when was ordained a Catholic deacon. Bill ter, Patricia “Tricia” Park. Funeral services were Aug. 25 at St Mary was a caring, fun-loving husband, father, son, uncle and grandfather. Bill was a big, Magdalene Catholic Church (The Made- strong man, both in stature and in the way he leine, 3123 N.E. 24th Ave., Portland, Ore- loved and cared for his family — both imme- gon). Burial was Aug. 28 at Mount Calvary. er nt m m ve Su gs E vin Sa s es les Seri d r e r o tu e C na g Fre ect Si on l se Call now for your free In-Home Consultation! Oregon Coast 503-738-5242 • Lincoln City 541-994-9954 SW Washington 503-738-5242 • www.budgetblinds.com Blinds • Shutters • Shades Drapes • Home Automation ©2018 Budget Blinds, LLC. All Rights Reserved. Budget Blinds is a trademark of Budget Blinds, LLC and a Home Franchise Concepts Brand. Each franchise independently owned and operated.