Alexander Sheridan

A full and rich life, filled with adventure, dedication and family, ended when Bud Sheridan died March 6, 2008 at his Ocean Park residence surrounded by family. The second of three children born to William B. and Margaret (Cole) Sheridan, he was born in Omemee, North Dakota on February 25, 1928. Bud grew up in rural North Dakota where he attended grade school. Later the family relocated to Medford, Oregon and then to Portland where Bud attended Roosevelt High School, graduating at age 16. As soon as he graduated he joined the U.S. merchant marine service serving in the Pacific during World War II. When he returned home he was greeted with a draft notice from the US Army so he served for two years during the Korean Conflict. Once again home, he found jobs tough to come by so he joined the US Navy where he served four years aboard the destroyers USS Wiltsie and USS Taussig. Following his Navy duty Bud settled with his family in Glenwood, Washington. There he worked for J. Neals Logging where he maintained equipment and later operated a rock crusher until 1957 when he moved back to Portland. He began working as a deck hand on tug boats operated by Shaver Transportation. He worked his way up to being a boat operator, later working in that capacity for Sause Brothers and General Construction. At age 34 Bud began his career with the Portland Fire Bureau as a pilot on fire boats stationed at terminal 2 and terminal 4. He served as lieutenant until retirement in 1983 when he moved to Ocean Park. In 1962 Bud began spending his off days operating a charter boat out of Ilwaco. He eventually operated his own charter office out of his residence, operating it as Sea Sport Charters, until 1983. Retirement years gave Bud the chance to pursue his many interests. He enjoyed yearly halibut fishing trips to Alaska with family and friends and already had his airline ticket purchased for this year. He puttered in his garden, shared chocolate treats with his great-grandchildren, always had a treat for any dog he happened to encounter, and had planned on clamming last weeks tide in spite of terminal illness. His family will cherish many memories of a beloved husband, father, grand and great-grandfather that was never without a story or a joke. Bud was a former member of the American Legion and a life-member of the Masonic lodge. He and Margaret Eccles met in Portland and they were married April 21, 1951 in her home town of Baker, Oregon. She survives residing in Ocean Park. Also surviving are daughters Linda Ramsey of Long Beach and Judy Stillman of Ridgefield, WA; sons Al Sheridan of Ridgefield, WA and David Sheridan of Cleveland, North Carolina; 14 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; brother Kenneth Sheridan of Glenwood, WA; and sister Jean Cowling of Milwaukie, OR. Celebration of his life will be held Saturday, March 15, 2008, 2:00 PM at the Peninsula Church Center, Seaview, WA. A reception follows at the church. Share a memory or sign the guestbook at www.penttilaschapel