Funeral homes often submit obituaries as a service to the families they are assisting. However, we will be happy to accept obituaries from family members pending proper verification of the death.
Gale “Norm” Norman McCafferty was born in Hood River in 1950 to Edith Williams and Norman McCafferty. Growing up, the family didn’t have much. Norm and his brother, Daren, filled the time with fixing up old cars and motorcycles, trying to stay out of trouble. He ended up having a knack for understanding how machines worked and how he could get them to run. After graduating from Wy’east High School in 1968, Norm enlisted with the United States Navy as a mechanic and served on the USS Enterprise. Although serving in the Vietnam War was not an easy task, he always kept fond memories of his brothers that he served with and was a very proud American until he died.
After his honorable discharge, Norm came back to the upper valley to be with his family.
Linda and Norm raised three boys, Jim, John and Jeremiah, as well as anyone who needed a place to stay.
He worked at the Mt. Hood wrecking yard and then for G&R Trucking for many years. When people failed at fixing things, they turned to Norm. He was an expert at making machines run and keeping trucks on the road.
Eventually, he was convinced go to work at Hanel Lumber Company, where he made lifelong friendships and fond memories. After the mill sold, Norm went north to Alaska and worked with the big timber.
After six years of cold wet days, he decided to come home again and work for Hanel Development until his retirement.
Norm loved life and the outdoors; he looked forward to two seasons. In the fall, hunting season was a time to spend with his closest friends and family. In the spring, it was raising pigs and tending his garden. Anyone who knew him would know that you could spend endless hours burning wood and shooting the breeze around the fire. We will miss Norm’s colorful language and ability to call it like it is.
Living his life to the fullest, Norm’s tired body gave out June 6, 2019, at his home surrounded by loved ones.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Parkdale Fire Department in memory of Norm.
Friends are encouraged to join family in celebrating his life with a potluck lunch Saturday, June 22 at Toll Bridge Park from noon to 4 p.m.
Arrangements are under the direction of Anderson’s Tribute Center (Funerals • Receptions • Cremations), 1401 Belmont Ave., Hood River. Visit www.AndersonsTributeCenter.com to leave a note of condolence for the family.
I'm so sorry to hear about Gale. I have great memories of him from long ago, at the Wrecking Yard, and living a few houses away to my later high school years, where he was more like a father figure to me. I still call Worcestershire Sauce "What's this here sauce", because he called it that (in fact, my kids have also started calling it that!) . When someone asks how I'm doing, I always think of him saying "Every day's a holiday, every meal's a banquet". He made a big difference in my life, and considered him a good friend of mine for many years. I'm really sorry for your loss :(
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I'm so sorry to hear about Gale. I have great memories of him from long ago, at the Wrecking Yard, and living a few houses away to my later high school years, where he was more like a father figure to me. I still call Worcestershire Sauce "What's this here sauce", because he called it that (in fact, my kids have also started calling it that!) . When someone asks how I'm doing, I always think of him saying "Every day's a holiday, every meal's a banquet". He made a big difference in my life, and considered him a good friend of mine for many years. I'm really sorry for your loss :(
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Keep it Clean. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, racist or sexually-oriented language.
PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK.
Don't Threaten. Threats of harming another person will not be tolerated.
Be Truthful. Don't knowingly lie about anyone or anything.
Be Nice. No racism, sexism or any sort of -ism that is degrading to another person.
Be Proactive. Use the 'Report' link on each comment to let us know of abusive posts.
Share with Us. We'd love to hear eyewitness accounts, the history behind an article.