Gerald Kefsky

Gerry was born in Portland during the Depression as the only child of Emil and Eva Page Kefsky. He attended Kellogg Grade School and graduated from Franklin High School in the Class of 1950. Despite being offered a biology scholarship, Gerry chose to enlist in the Navy and left for Long Beach on June 5, 1950, a date he always remembered. After serving from 1950 to 1953 on the destroyer USS Blue DD 744 during the Korean Conflict, he then served one tour on the icebreaker Burton Island that traveled to the Artic Sea. He was then stationed in Long Beach where he met his soon-to-be wife, Darlene Smith. They knew each other two months before marrying and starting their new life together in Portland. They would have celebrated their 59th wedding anniversary in January 2013. Gerry is survived by his loving wife; daughters, Jeanette (Don) Hopkins, Cheryl (Duane) Stewart and Donna (Pete) Langlois; granddaughters, Kristie Hopkins, Stacy (Jonathan) Dadfarma, Tanya (Doug) Brewster and Katie (Brian) Sutherland; sister-in-law, Jackie Flynn; nieces, nephews and cousins. He has been an intricate part of each of these lives and is sorely missed. Gerry worked as a diesel mechanic, longshoreman and a laundry delivery driver until he began his electrical apprenticeship with IBEW Local 48. He began his career with Ace Electric, worked many years at Broadway Electric and finished his career at Christenson Electric. His many jobs included The Galleria, emergency work during the Columbus Day Storm and the lead electrician at One Main Place. He was awarded his 50th anniversary pin in 2010 and was proud to be a retired union electrician. Gerry enjoyed his 20 years of retirement fishing, crabbing, card playing, bike riding, traveling, camping, gardening and puttering around the house. He'd always rather be fishing with Denny or Dick Martin and it could be for salmon, sturgeon, walleye - whatever had fins. He mastered Dr. Mario on the Nintendo and was good enough to enter a competition. He'd love to watch the squirrels busy in their feeders while playing his game. He was always busy fixing cars, bikes or boat motors, making furniture or squirrel feeders. He was an expert at repairs of all kinds including plumbing, painting and carpentry work. Gerry and Darlene made many annual trips around the U.S. to the USS Blue reunions and had great times with his fellow shipmates. The newest challenge he took on was learning how to use his iPhone. He was always calling his daughters, sons-in-law, granddaughters and friends just to say hi. An afternoon spent watching a movie was also a favorite pastime as well as football games and their annual Super Bowl party. This past year he joined LA Fitness and went to Aqua Fit classes four times a week and surprised everyone by wearing a birthday hat in the pool last year. He was always ready to get a Starbucks iced coffee or Frappuccino and made the best raisin bread during the holidays. He loved to cook and we'll miss his special potato soup, Christmas morning breakfasts and vanilla lattes. Gerry was a life member of the Gateway Elks Lodge and will be missed by his many card playing buddies. Gerry was a devoted husband, son, father, grandfather, friend, employee and neighbor. He lived his life right because he's left such a big void in all of our lives. Please come and have a bite to eat and drink while we celebrate Gerry's amazing, well-lived life on Saturday, Nov. 3 from 1 to 5 p.m. at 3145 SE 76th Ave, Portland, OR. Burial will be at 9 a.m. on Monday, Nov. 5, 2012 at Willamette National Cemetery with a Navy color guard. Please consider a donation to the Sunshine Division, Oregon Public Broadcasting, Oregon Humane Society, the Salvation Army or a charity of your choice, in lieu of flowers.