SJI Marathon winner has pioneer-era family ties on Lopez | Letters

Published 4:05 pm Wednesday, June 13, 2012

We were delighted when our grandson, Tim O’Brien, called to tell us that he had won the men’s race in the recent Kings’ Market San Juan Island Marathon. It was the first  marathon he had entered.

Tim is a mainlander and lives in Maple Valley with his wife, Melynda, and 6-month old son, Finn. However, some of his roots go way back on Lopez Island. Four of his great-great grandparents moved to Lopez in the late 1800s and early 1900s. They were in the McCauley, Gallanger, Cochran and McNallie families.

Tim’s great-grandparents, Lew McCauley and Glee (Gallanger) McCauley were both born and raised on Lopez Island. His grandmother, Marlene (McCauley) Martin was also born on the island.

The current generation still has a house it uses on Lopez that has been in the family for many years. Tim usually goes there several times a year to enjoy the island. Tim’s great-great-aunt, Winnie Kalberg, and her daughters, Connie (Erickson) Redling, JoAnn Johnson, and Karen King were all long time residents on San Juan Island.

We thought this island connection may be of some interest.

Marlene (McCauley) Martin/Lopez Island