A2 • Friday, March 5, 2021 | Seaside Signal | SeasideSignal.com
OBITUARY
Dr. Ben Cockcroft
Seaside
Sept. 22, 1958 — Feb. 15, 2021
Dr.
Ben
Cockcroft,
beloved husband, father,
brother, physician and friend
to many, died Feb. 15, 2021,
while snowboarding in
Washington state.
For nearly 32 years, Dr.
Cockcroft has been a pri-
mary care provider in north
Oregon coastal communi-
ties. He served thousands of
people and multiple genera-
tions, from grandparents to
babies.
He was a skilled diagnos-
tician committed to whole
person care, and dedicated
his skills to serving those
most marginalized. Many
of Ben’s patients speak of
his non-judgmental nature,
endearing honesty and car-
ing heart as he went above
and beyond to serve their
health care needs. He loved
his patients and community.
Ben and his wife, Lindy,
have been at the heart of
activities in the North Coast
communities. They have
three adult children, April,
Lucas and Travis (and his
wife, Janet). Ben was also a
proud “dog grandpa” to both
Travis’ and April’s dogs.
Together, the Cockcroft
family had many adven-
tures traveling, surfi ng and
being outdoors. More than
anything, Ben loved surfi ng,
studying with April and Tra-
vis and canoeing and play-
ing chess with Lucas. Ben
spent lots of time coach-
ing his children to victory
in soccer over the years, and
also played keeper for many
seasons in a local league.
Those who know Ben
know of his deep love of
surfi ng and of the local surf
community. Ben placed fi rst
in many surfi ng competi-
tions up and down the coast.
Of the memories being
shared, so many speak of
Dr. Cockcroft’s dedication
to serving his community
and sharing his spirit so gen-
erously. In his local com-
munity, he created a path at
the Cove in Seaside, mov-
ing rocks to make the beach
accessible to all.
Ben inspired energy and
greatness from all those
around him, often exclaim-
ing “”use it or lose it!”
His quirky sense of humor
always left people laughing
(if they could fi gure out that
he was joking).
Anyone who knew him
would say he was truly an
18-year-old at heart, but with
a work ethic that exceeded
all others. At home, Ben
could always be found at
his computer, fi nishing the
day’s work while analyzing
the surf. He passed this work
ethic on to his children, of
whom he was very proud.
Ben was the pillar of the
Cockcroft family near and
far, always checking in and
taking care of others, exhib-
iting bravery in the hardest
of times. Ben has two broth-
ers, Peter and Eric, whom he
loved very much. He is pre-
ceded in death by his par-
ents, Eva and James.
Dr. Cockcroft was a
member of the American
Academy of Family Physi-
cians. He earned his medical
degree from the University
of California, Irvine, School
of Medicine and completed
an internship in Fresno, Cal-
ifornia, before serving his
residency in family medi-
cine at San Pedro Peninsula
Hospital in California.
He moved to Seaside 32
years ago, and has been serv-
ing his patients in Clatsop
County ever since. He loved
his patients and Providence
team members, whom he
deeply valued and enjoyed
working with every day.
Additionally, he had the
opportunity to serve the
community of Oaxaca, Mex-
ico, as a physician on mul-
tiple medical trips over the
years. Dr. Cockcroft is the
past president of the Clat-
sop County Medical Soci-
ety and a former chief of
staff at Providence Seaside
Hospital.
The Cockcroft family
is grateful to all who have
extended care and concern,
with particular apprecia-
tion to Detective Ed Chris-
tian and the team at King
County Search and Res-
cue for their heroic efforts,
as well as the team of vol-
unteers who endured severe
weather during the search
and always took time to lis-
ten to and engage with the
family.
The family also wants
to thank KSWB and John
Chapman for broadcast-
ing the memorial service,
everyone who participated,
and the community, for their
support.
Online
remembrances
can be shared, and the ser-
vice heard (under Gallery/
Audio) at: forevermissed.
com/ben-david-cockcroft/
about
A future paddle-out in
the spring or summer, once
conditions allow, is being
planned for a later date.
PUBLIC SAFETY LOG
SEASIDE POLICE DEPT.
PUBLIC SAFETY LOG
11:58 a.m., 2100 block Lewis
and Clark: Emergency medical
response.
11:52 a.m., S. Lincoln: Emer-
gency medical response.
Feb. 19
Feb. 12
9:10 p.m., Avenue K and U.S.
Highway 101: A person is
arrested on a warrant.
8:00 p.m., 300 block Second
Avenue: Emergency medical
response.
10:30 p.m., Sixth Avenue and
N. Roosevelt: Police respond
to a report of a dog barking in
the area. Offi cer did hear some
barking at fi rst and canvassed
the area on foot but no bark-
ing was then heard.
9:14 p.m., 800 block S. King
Street: Emergency medical
response.
Feb. 20
5:46 a.m., 900 block Avenue S:
A disturbance is reported.
1:29 p.m., N. Roosevelt: A per-
son is arrested on a warrant.
6:27 p.m., Rite Aid: A driver is
given a citation for making a
dangerous left hand turn.
6:30 p.m., Broadway and
Wahanna: A driver is cited for
careless driving.
7:05 p.m., Avenue G and
Lincoln: Offi cer on patrol rec-
ognizes a loose dog wander-
ing in the neighborhood and
returns the dog to its home.
9:40 p.m., N. Holladay: Police
say a situation of a person cre-
ating a disturbance banging
on a hotel door insisting they
be let into a room is being
handled by hotel staff . Staff is
advised to call police if they
need assistance.
11:20 p.m., 500 block Avenue
G: Guests creating a distur-
bance at a hotel agree to leave
the premises prior to police
arrival.
Feb. 21
12:42 p.m., 1500 block Lea
Way: A person is arrested for
being in violation of a release
agreement.
12:56 p.m., Police headquar-
ters: A found wallet is turned
in for safekeeping.
4:40 p.m., Avenue G bridge:
A person is cited for unlawful
lodging.
4:48 p.m., 1400 block S. Roos-
evelt: A person is charged with
trespass.
4:57 p.m., Outlet Mall: A
person reported banging on
the door of the CMH pharma-
cy and yelling agrees to move
along.
7:41 p.m., Seltzer Park re-
stroom area: Public Works is
notifi ed of graffi ti for removal.
Feb. 22
10:45 a.m., Beach in front of
Maggie’s: Police responded
to a request for a welfare
check on a woman in the surf
with her dog. On arrival the
woman was out of the water
and didn’t want assistance,
medical or otherwise.
6:17 p.m., 500 block Avenue
A: A disturbance is reported.
9:32 p.m., 400 block Avenue
U: An assault is reported.
SEASIDE FIRE & RESCUE
PUBLIC SAFETY
LOG
Feb. 11
2:34 a.m., U.S. Highway 26:
Emergency medical response.
7:00 a.m., 11th and Lincoln:
Police and fi re on scene for
a report of an arcing power
pole.
11:51 a.m., 1100 block North
Roosevelt: Emergency medical
response.
Feb. 13
11:42 a.m., 1300 block 10th
Avenue: Police assist another
agency with an emergency
medical response.
Feb. 14
8:03 a.m., 1700 block Spruce
Drive: Emergency medical
response. Police assist another
agency.
Feb. 15
11:14 a.m., 800 block Avenue I:
Emergency medical response.
Feb. 18
9:42 p.m., Shilo Inn and the
beach: Emergency medical
response.
OREGON STATE
POLICE
PUBLIC SAFETY LOG
Driver hits elk
An elk that ran out in front of
a driver Feb. 10 at 9:02 a.m.
on U.S. Highway 101 traveling
south near milepost 17 caused
extensive damage to the vehi-
cle, but no injuries to the driver
or passenger. The fate of the elk
is unknown.
Three die in three-ve-
hicle crash
Three people died Feb. 10 in a
two-vehicle crash on U.S. High-
way 26. Police say a Mercedes
station wagon was heading
westbound at around 10 a.m.
about 2 miles east of the state
Highway 53 junction when the
driver lost control and slid side-
ways into the eastbound lanes,
colliding with a Toyota Tacoma
driven by a Seaside woman.
Walter Smith, 21, of Pendleton,
who was driving the Mercedes,
died. His passengers, Erick
Fadness, 20, of Decorah, Iowa,
and a 16-year-old female from
Portland also died. The Seaside
woman who was driving the
Toyota Tacoma was fl own to a
Portland hospital. The highway
was temporarily closed while
law enforcement investigated
and reconstructed the crash.
Drunk driver
Brian Paul McCarthy, 43, was
arrested on scene Feb. 11 at
1:30 p.m. on U.S. Highway 101
and Sunset Beach Lane charged
with driving while under the
infl uence of intoxicants — Alco-
hol after police responded to a
report of an intoxicated driver
who rear-ended the car travel-
ing in front of him. McCarthy
was transported to the Clatsop
County jail where he provided a
breath sample showing a blood
alcohol content of 0.24%. He
was issued additional citations
for driving without a license,
driving uninsured. A charge of
reckless endangering has been
referred to the district attorney’s
offi ce. His car was towed from
the scene by Classic Towing.
The sheriff ’s offi ce and ODOT
assisted at the scene.
Admiring the scenery
On Feb. 24 at 5:13 p.m., an Arch
Cape man traveling south on
U.S. Highway 101 near milepost
23 briefl y took his eyes off the
road to admire scenery; when
he turned his gaze back to
the road he saw another car
stopped in the southbound
lane, waiting to make a left turn.
He tried to swerve but rear-end-
ed the other car, occupied by
two people from Seaside. The
force of the impact pushed that
car into the northbound lane.
Seaside Fire, two Seaside police
offi cers and ODOT arrived on
scene to assist Oregon State po-
lice. The Arch Cape man, 27, and
the male passenger, 59, inside
the struck car were transported
to Columbia Memorial Hospital.
The driver of the struck car, a
60-year-old woman, was life
fl ighted to OHSU.
U.S. Highway 101.
service, Spruce.
Road, Warrenton.
9:32 p.m., motor vehicle
accident with injuries, U.S.
Highway 101, Warrenton.
Feb. 11
Feb. 18
7:31 p.m., unintentional trans-
mission of alarm, Ocean.
9:53 a.m., emergency medical
service, Old Bog, Warrenton.
Feb. 7
Feb. 12
Feb. 19
7:36 p.m., emergency medical
service, U.S. Highway 101,
Warrenton.
8:38 a.m., emergency medical
service, Manion, Surf Pines.
9 a.m., cover assignment,
standby, moveup, Lincoln,
Seaside.
Failed to negotiate turn
10:42 p.m., emergency medi-
cal service, Fifer Heights.
Oregon State Police went to the
scene of a single car crash Feb.
26 at 4:26 p.m., on U.S. Highway
26 near milepost 5; on arrival
they saw a gray Toyota Corolla in
a ditch that failed to negotiate
a turn exiting the highway. The
car struck the L&C Tree Farm
barricade but did not damage
any property. The driver, 68,
and his passenger, also 68, were
uninjured. The owner of the car
arranged to have the vehicle
towed from the scene by Sea-
side Towing.
Feb. 9
9:35 a.m., emergency medical
service, B Street.
4:09 a.m., attempted burning,
illegal action, Salminen.
Feb. 13
2:33 p.m., emergency medical
service, U.S. Highway 101.
4:08 p.m., medical assist,
assist EMS crew, U.S. Highway
101.
Feb. 10
10:27 a.m., cover assign-
ment, standby, moveup, U.S.
Highway 101 and Highway 26,
Seaside.
3:40 p.m., emergency medical
service, Ridge, Gearhart.
4:18 p.m., emergency medical
service, Manion, Surf Pines.
8:15 p.m., emergency medical
No charges fi led for
shooting bear
A 23-year-old male hiker shot
a black bear in self-defense
Feb. 27 at 3:14 p.m., in Clatsop
County near the Northrup Horse
Camp. He said the bear emerged
from a hollow log as the hiker
past by; he said he shot it with
a pistol as it approached him
and was about ten feet away.
No charges were fi led and the
bear was given to the Oregon
Department of Fish and Wildlife
for research.
12:03 a.m., building fi re, Larch,
Cannon Beach.
9:58 a.m., water and ice-relat-
ed rescue, Pinehurst and beach
ocean shore, Warrenton.
10:30 a.m., animal rescue 17th
and River, Seaside.
10:57 a.m., smoke detector
activation, unintentional, no
fi re, High Ridge.
1:40 p.m., medical assist, assist
EMS crew, Roosevelt, Seaside.
11:53 a.m., emergency medi-
cal service, Sandy Ridge.
2:29 p.m., emergency medical
service, Beach, Seaside.
6:09 p.m., emergency medical
service, Chinook.
Feb. 23
Feb. 14
10:01 p.m., smoke detector
activation, unintentional, no
fi re, Neacoxie.
Feb. 16
12:11 p.m., motor vehicle
accident with injuries, U.S.
Highway 101 and Highlands
7:12 a.m., motor vehicle
accident with injuries, U.S.
Highway 101 and Gronmark,
Warrenton.
Feb. 24
7:40 a.m., motor vehicle
accident with injuries, U.S.
Highway 101 and Lenore Lane.
1:50 p.m., emergency medical
service, Ridge.
Get to The Point.
Expert Service. Guaranteed.
Trust your vehicle safety to the professionals at
DEL’S O.K. TIRE
Eluded police
A gray four door BMW 4-door
traveling at a high rate of speed
on U.S. Highway 26 near mile-
post 12 eluded police eff orts to
stop the car Feb. 27 at 5:47 p.m.
Troopers said it was clear the
driver was attempting to elude
police when it made unsafe
passes. Police decided to stop
the pursuit and the BMW contin-
ued on its way.
Criminal harassment
State police went to the beach
between Del Ray and Sunset
access Feb. 28 at 3:36 p.m. for
a report of an assault. Aaron
James Hire, 31 from Salem, was
charged with criminal harass-
ment of a 48-year-old Warrenton
man. No date was given for his
return to court.
Spring Tire Sale
Offer valid from March 12-April 10th, 2021
Traveling females
attacked
Two young women, one from
Warwick, Rhode Island, were
sleeping in a parked minivan
at the Sunset Rest Area on U.S.
Highway 26 March 2 at 4:33 a.m.
when they were awakened by
loud noise and the back win-
dow of their van shattering. Two
vehicles were seen leaving the
scene seconds after. One was
described as a silver or white
car. No injuries were reported.
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FIRE LOG
Feb. 4
5:37 p.m., oil or other combus-
tible liquid spill, U.S. Highway
101.
6:28 p.m., motor vehicle acci-
dent with injuries, U.S. Highway
101 and East Pine Lane.
Feb. 5
10:40 a.m., good intent call,
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