Oney Camberg

For decades, Oney Camberg served as the matriarch of Oregon’s north coast athletic teams. From her restaurant roost atop the Sunset Highway, Oney directed her “kids” to and from their battles against their inland enemies. Although her son Joe was a star athlete for the Seaside Seagulls and “Oney’s” sat in the middle of Jewell Bluejay territory, Oney always kept a place in her heart for her Astoria Fishermen.

The one stop between the high school and the team destination was Oney’s, where she always had the pre-game meal ready for her kids. When they left Oney’s, headed to Portland, the kids knew it was time to get their “game faces” on. Heading back after a victory (or that occasional defeat), Oney would have burgers and fries ready at just the moment that the cars and busses pulled into her parking lot. When the kids arrived, they knew they were “home.” Oney always treated them special….rumor has it that Oney would send her regulars down the road for an hour on game nights just so her kids could have the run of the restaurant on their way back to Astoria.

But Oney’s loyalty didn’t stop at the dining table. Whenever her busy schedule would allow, Oney would unexpectedly show up at a ball game and take her proper position right in the middle of her kids, the student cheering section, where she would stand, stomp and holler with the best of ‘em.

Unerringly, Oney would time her appearances when she might be needed most. She knew that her kids knew she was there and that they would kick it up a little, just so they could get that approving look the next time they were on a road trip. Whether it was an early season key game, a contest against an archrival, a loser-out playoff game or, most importantly, that trip to the state tournament, Oney always seemed to be there.

Oney is fondly remembered as an avid supporter of the Astoria High School athletic program, a true and loyal fan and a gracious hostess. But, above all, she is a cherished friend to every one of the Astoria High School students and athletes who were lucky enough to have been one of her “kids.”