Obituary of Todd Calef O'Mealy

Todd Calef O'Mealy ~ 71 Washougal, Washington January 21, 1944 ~ December 17, 2015 Todd O’Mealy was a vibrant and productive 71 year old, who always appreciated and enjoyed life to the fullest. Having just recently become aware of issues with his heart, he had chosen to undergo a bypass surgery in order to be home for the holidays. It was a surprise to everyone when a sudden complication the day following surgery ended Todd’s life. He passed away while still in the hospital on the evening of December 17, 2015. Todd Calef O’Mealy was born to Helen Mae (Calef) and Burton Floyd O’Mealy in Seattle, Washington on January 21, 1944. His parents (deceased) were both raised in Portland Oregon, but found themselves living in Bremerton, Washington throughout the second world war. This is where Todd spent the first 5 years of his life, prior to the family’s move to Richland, Washington when his father’s career as a civil engineer for the Atomic Energy Commission began. There, Todd enjoyed the remainder of his childhood years with older sister Patricia Alesse, and younger brother Jeff O’Mealy. Todd graduated from Richland High School in 1962 and enlisted in the U.S. Coast Guard. After serving in the military for four years, he enrolled in college to develop a skill in engineering, and graduated from OSU in 1972 as a mechanical engineer. In 1968, he married Susan Terry and moved to Portland where their two wonderful daughters, Mikell Kathleen O’Mealy, and Mary Kay (Katy) Faust were born. Even after the dissolution of their marriage, Susie and Todd always remained very close friends. In 2004, Todd married Cynthia (Cindy) Jean Lehl O’Mealy, and gained two step sons at the same time, Aaron and Grant Butherus, who he treated as his own. Once married, Cindy and Todd began creating “River’s Rest” together, their river front home at 192 Laurel Lane in Washougal, Washington. Todd was openly proud of all six of his grandchildren, including daughter Katy’s four children, McKayla, Miriam, Joshua and Benjamin, plus step son Aaron and wife Cynthia’s two children, Gabrielle and Isabella. He was an inspirational Grandpa who loved to spend time helping young people grow. Todd also felt blessed to have two nephews, Keith and Burton Alesse, and three nieces, ‘Esprit, Caitlyn and Alyssa O’Mealy, in his life. Todd’s Celebration of Life and Reception will be held on Thursday, January 14th at 2 pm, at the Cape Horn American Legion Hall, 10221 Washougal River Rd, Washougal, WA 98671. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made either to Mercy Corps, to which Todd and Cindy contributed regularly, or to WAAAM (the Western Antique Auto and Aerial Museum in Hood River, Oregon), where Todd had recently volunteered much of his time. Cascadia Cremation Funeral Home has a web site for people to pay their condolences and share fond memories about Todd - please go to info@cascadiacremation.com to share yours. The entries will be placed in hard bound books for his children and grandchildren to keep. As Todd reflected on his life in the past few months, he often said, “If I died tomorrow, I’ve had a Wonderful Life!” “If you want to live a full life like Todd did, embrace it with lots of gratitude Todd’s family, who will hold him close with wonderful memories!