Word circulated early today at the Capitol that longtime staff member and consultant Britton "Jerry" McFetridge died suddenly over the weekend at his home in Clarksburg.
He was 72.
The Assembly is expected to adjourn in his honor today. He served under several Democratic members of the Legislature, including current state Treasurer Bill Lockyer. He is credited with mentoring dozens of Democratic staff members and shepherding significant legislation through the process over the years, including the state's prevailing wage law and the California Occupational Safety and Health Act.
After leaving the Legislature, he became legislative and political director for the State Building and Construction Trades Council. Most recently, he retired to a grape-growing operation in Clarksburg.
Senate Secretary Greg Schmidt, a close personal friend said McFetridge was "the consummate legislative consultant...He had great passion for the issues he believed in, but also a strict adherence to objectivity in his work. He was at the social heart of the Capitol, and a canny politician. But mostly, he was a grand human being."
He is survived by five children, including Duncan McFetridge, a lobbyist at the Capitol. Services are pending.
PHOTO CREDIT: Jerry McFetridge, stands next to remaining Elm trees along Hwy 160 earlier this month. Paul Kitagaki Jr./The Sacramento Bee.
Latest posts:
About Comments
Reader comments on Sacbee.com are the opinions of the writer, not The Sacramento Bee. If you see an objectionable comment, click the "report abuse" button below it. We will delete comments containing inappropriate links, obscenities, hate speech, and personal attacks. Flagrant or repeat violators will be banned. See more about comments here.