Gerald J. O'TOOLE

OTOOLE, COLLINS, WILSON, VERMILLION, THIELEN

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 11/3/2008 at 10:41:55

Daily Astorian, Astoria, OR
August 22, 2005

Gerald J. O'Toole, 90, of Seaside, Oregon died Sunday, Aug. 14, in Seaside. Mr. O'Toole was born March 1, 1915 in Eagle Grove, Iowa, to Dr. Thomas J. and Mary Collins O'Toole. Mr. O'Toole attended Sacred Heart and Eagle Grove schools in Iowa, and graduated from Eagle Grove High School in 1933. He attended Loras College in Dubuque, Iowa, graduating in business in 1937. He worked for the Iowa Liquor Commission until enlisting in the Army Air Corps in June 1942, serving in England and France as an aircraft radioman. After being discharged in 1945, he worked as an accountant for the Umthun Trucking company, retiring in 1980. In 1988, he married a high school friend, Beverly D. Wilson. They resided in Astoria for 10 years, until Mrs. O'Toole's death in 1998. Mr. O'Toole lived at the Suzanne Elise Assisted Living Facility for four years before moving to the extended care facility at Providence Seaside Hospital in Seaside.

Family members said he was known for his quick retorts and sharp wit, as well as strong political leanings. He loved flying the small plane he owned for a few years and enjoyed watching most sports, especially golf, which he played for years. He loved listening to piano music. His family said that coming from a longtime family tradition of Catholicism, Mr. O'Toole was proud of his family, which included three doctors, a priest, a nun and a judge, among others.

He is survived by one stepson and step daughter-in-law, J. Michael and Wendie Vermillion of Eugene; two step-grandsons, Rob and Matthew Vermillion of Eugene; a sister, Isabel Thielen of Eagle Grove, Iowa; and numerous nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by three brothers and two sisters.

A graveside service was held Aug. 20, officiated by Father Nicholas Nuilema of Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church in Seaside. Memorial contributions may be made to Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church or Oregon Food Bank, in care of Hughes-Ransom Cremation and Mortuaries, 576 12th St., Astoria, OR 97103.