FORKS — Authorities are investigating events leading up to the apparently accidental death of Sam Gaydeski, a member of the prominent West End family, by a mechanical brush cutter.
Gaydeski, 50, of Beaver was killed Monday while on the job clearing brush for the state Department of Natural Resources near Clearwater in West Jefferson County.
“This is truly a loss for the Forks community,” said Mayor Bryon Monohon.
“Sam will be missed. His family is a very well-known family here in the community.”
The body was found in the late evening Monday on White Rock Road, said Jefferson County Sheriff’s Chief Criminal Deputy Joe Nole.
Gaydeski apparently was killed by the blade of the brush cutter he was operating, Nole said.
Although the Sheriff’s Office is still investigating the events leading up to his death, it appears to be an accident, Nole said.
An autopsy will be performed as part of the investigation, he said.
A celebration of life service will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday at The Round House, 110 Business Park, at the intersection of state Highway 110 and U.S. Highway 101.
Gaydeski had worked for the Department of Natural Resources since April 2006, when he began as a truck driver, said Bryan Flint, director of communications and outreach for the state agency.
In May 2007, he was promoted to heavy-equipment operator, which was his job title at the time of his death.
“We are all sad to lose someone from our hard-working work force,” Flint said.
Gaydeski was clearing weeds near the side of the DNR road, Flint said.
When he didn’t return after the day’s work, his supervisor went in search and found the body at the side of the road, Flint said.
Flint said DNR will investigate to determine the circumstances surrounding Gaydeski’s death.
Also investigating will be the state Department of Labor and Industries, Nole said.
He is also survived by his wife, Deborah Hurn Gaydeski, and three children, Mason Gaydeski, Marin Gaydeski and Morgan Gaydeski.
Gaydeski is a nephew of former Clallam County Commissioner Lawrence Gaydeski. Other relatives are business owners, mainly in construction and logging, on the West End.
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Reporter Paige Dickerson can be reached at 360-417-3535 or at paige.dickerson@peninsuladailynews.com.