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.
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