Obituary of George Patrick O'Day Jr.

George O’Day May 26, 1936 to April 24, 2021 We are heartbroken to share the passing of George O’Day. After a gallant battle with cancer, George passed away peacefully at home on Saturday April 24, 2021 surrounded by family. He was born in Seattle and moved to Silverdale where he grew up next to a salmon stream that fueled his lifelong passion for fishing. He was an outstanding athlete at Central Kitsap, lettering in four sports. He was a state all star and earned a scholarship to play four years of football in college. He graduated college to become a high school teacher for five years which was definitely not his calling in life. When he moved to a house on the water in Oak Harbor he saw the lights of fishermen working at night and found his calling. He commercial fished in the Puget Sound and Alaska for the next 40 years. He introduced his children to commercial fishing as well. His son Michael was his partner for 30 years while his daughter Jamie operated her own set net site in Egegik. With a wide mischievous streak, he loved to tease the people in his life that he cared about. Watch out for those shopping carts Dana W! He had an array of interests and talents: playing golf, creating art, playing poker, watching college basketball. In 1990 he started traveling to Baja California Sur where he enjoyed 15 winters fishing, golfing, horse back riding and making countless friends. He was a natural born entrepreneur owning a real estate company, a car lot, and a portable saw mill - always with a generous spirit. Knowing he could make a difference, he sponsored education for a child in Mexico. Later in life he began a career in farming. For 20 years he was an active vendor at the Harstene Farmers Market alongside his partner Michelle. George was a larger than life figure. With a deep booming voice, he was always easy to find in a crowd. He engaged with perfect strangers, seeing them as friends he hadn’t yet met. George was preceded in death by his mother Burnzetta. He is survived by his partner of 34 years Michelle, son Michael (Lee), daughter Jamie (Rafael), his ex-wife Marie and countless friends. A celebration of life ceremony will be scheduled. Contact McComb and Wagner for details. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Vaya con dios Jorge.