Bruce Clifford North

Published 4:00 pm Thursday, November 10, 2005

Bruce Clifford North, 85, of Astoria, died Thursday, Nov. 10, 2005, in Seaside.

Mr. North was born May 21, 1920 in Seattle.

Raised in Seattle, he graduated from Lincoln High School.

On July 11, 1947, he married Kay Hazard in Sitka, Alaska. She survives and lives in Astoria.

At age 21, Mr. North joined the Merchant Marine in World War II. He then became a salmon troller with Mike Schroeder. He continued to fish for tuna and salmon on boats that he leased or owned including the Cecelia B, Orion, Cape Lookout and the Peagasus. He always had a crew and sometimes was joined by his daughter Mady DeWeese, who survives in Umpqua, and his son, Bryan North, who survives in Astoria.

Family member said Mr. North had an uncanny sense to make industry changes before they were needed. He was a successful fisherman all of his life, gaining the admiration and respect of his peers for his hard work and vision. He retired in 1975.

Mr. North was a member of many trade organizations, including Otter Trawl, Mid-Water Trawling Association. He was on the board of the Pacific Fisheries Council.

Family members said he was an avid sports fisherman and enjoyed boating adventures with his wife in the islands off British Columbia. He loved to travel and take the road less traveled and knew the back roads in Western North America. They said he could paint a picture of the most obscure, off-the-beaten path and beautiful roads. He also enjoyed traveling, bird watching and canoeing.

In addition to his wife and children, Mr. North is survived by four granddaughters.

A memorial will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday at Caldwell’s Luce-Layton Mortuary, 1165 Franklin Ave. in Astoria.

A reception follows at the Columbia River Maritime Museum, 1792 Marine Drive in Astoria.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Maritime Museum.