Category: Memorial Corner
The history of Memorial Day
Memorial Day, originally called Decoration Day, is a day of remembrance for those who have died in service of the United States of America. Over two dozen cities and towns claim to be the birthplace of Memorial Day. While Waterloo, N.Y., was officially declared the birthplace [...]
Former GC Russell “Dale” Hogan Jr. passes away
Russell “Dale” Hogan, a former general chairperson and retiree of Local 933 (Jefferson City, Mo.), died April 20, 2019, after a battle with cancer. He was 76. He joined the United Transportation Union (UTU) after hiring on as a fireman for Missouri Pacific in Janu [...]
Former Virginia Sen., DLC Willard Moody Sr. dies
Willard James Moody, Sr., a well-regarded attorney and former state legislator who served as a longtime Designated Legal Counsel (DLC) for the United Transportation Union (UTU) and advocated on behalf of railroad workers in the court of law throughout his life, passed away Ma [...]
Former UTU communications director passes away
Born in 1930, Art Hanford began his railroad career as a darkroom technician for the Chesapeake & Ohio (C&O) Railway in 1953. While with the C&O, he earned a reputation as a quality photographer and writer. He was a trusted employee of Cyrus Eaton, the C&O Boa [...]
Amtrak announces death of former CEO Joseph Boardman
Amtrak announced today that former President and CEO Joseph Boardman, 70, died today after having a stroke March 5: “We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Joe Boardman.” “Joe, during his tenure as FRA administrator, Amtrak board member and Amtrak president & C [...]
Lifetime member and former SLD Willis Croonquist passes away
Willis Croonquist, of Local 1177 (Willmar, Minn.), a former United Transportation Union Minnesota state legislative director and alternate national legislative director in the 1980s and ’90s, died Jan. 24. He was 81. Croonquist had been a member of the union since 1955, [...]
New England Alt. Legislative Director Donald W. Wheaton Jr. dead at 62
Donald “Donnie” Wheaton Jr., 62, died unexpectedly Saturday, Jan. 19. Hiring out with the Massachusetts Bay Commuter Railroad – now Keolis – Wheaton served as a conductor. He was a 42-year employee. Wheaton became a member of the United Transportation Union Local 898 (Boston, [...]Former N.J. Conrail/CSX local chairman dies
William Arthur McManus (Maxie), 74, of Dumont, N.J., died Jan. 5, 2019, at the James J. VA Medical Center in the Bronx, N.Y. Bill, a member of SMART Transportation Division Local 1447, joined the union in November 1977 and was a railroad conductor with CSX and Conrail for mor [...]