Jack Westrick, 90, passed away on Dec. 1, 2020, at home with family nearby after a long, hard-fought battle with Alzheimer’s. Jack was born Sept. 28, 1930, and was raised in Longview, Washington, where he enjoyed the farm life and participated in many sports.
In 1952 Jack joined the Army and was in the Korean War. After a short time he stepped on a land mine, earning a Purple Heart and returned home to recover.
He finished his schooling at Western Washington College getting his degree in teaching. He taught at Foster High School in Seattle before moving to Aberdeen, where he taught at McDermoth and then at Ocosta in Westport. At Ocosta he coached Little League and then high school basketball. It was in Westport he learned to love fishing. He became very involved in the charter business, owning G&M Charters and later co-owned Washington Charters with family, and building many charter boats. He was president of the Westport Charterboat Association during the difficult Bolt Decision times.
For 10 years he moved to the San Juan Islands with his wife Donna, managing a development on Decatur Island and running the passenger ferry for the residents of the island. That boat is now the Ultimate in Westport. His love for his family and fishing brought him back to Westport.
His final years were spent on his little farm in Ocosta where he loved a multitude of animals, both big and small. He enjoyed keeping up with the yard, almost always having a fire as he cleared the land, and the busy farm life. He also became involved and was very supportive of Donna’s animal rescue efforts. And yes, in his spare time he could be found at one of the casinos.
Preceding him in death were his parents, Ed and Marie, his first wife Lois Berquist, a sister and four brothers. Surviving are his wife of 44 years Donna, daughter Christy Cuddy(Bill), sons Phil Westrick (Kris Paulson) and Steve Westrick (Kelly), seven grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren, one sister Phyllis Dowell (Dillard), brother Ed, and special long time caregivers Kitty and Michelle.
The family suggests memorial donations be made to CARA (Coastal Animal Rescue and Adoption), Catholic Community Services or Harbor Home Health and Hospice.
