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An online fundraiser has been established for the family of Local 1730 (Richmond, Calif.) member Charles F. “Chuck” Reiring, who passed away suddenly Dec. 14 at age 41.

Brother Charles F. “Chuck” Reiring passed away Dec. 14, 2021, at age 41. He is survived by his daughter, Dixie (pictured), his wife and son Charles III.

Brother Reiring joined our union in January 2018 and worked as a conductor for BNSF.

Fellow SMART-TD member Gary Brunt Jr. of Local 1544 (Maywood, Calif.) has established a memorial fund on GoFundMe in memory of Brother Reiring, with whom Brunt had trained when both hired on as BNSF conductors.

“There wasn’t a time he didn’t speak of how much he would want for his daughter, son, or wife, Angie to have. He will forever be remembered for his sacrifice, duty, and love for his family,” Brunt wrote.

Brother Reiring is survived by his wife of 18 years, Angie Vierra; his daughter, Dixie; and his son, Charles III.

Click here to visit the online fundraiser.

A Local 1544 (Maywood, Calif.) member lost his life as a result of injuries while performing service early March 3.

Ellis
Brother Taj Ellis, 46, of Chino, Calif., was making a set-out in La Mirada Yard in Orange County, Calif., at 12:30 a.m. when he was fatally injured.
He had been a member of our union since July 2013 and was a conductor for BNSF.
A member of the SMART-TD National Safety Team is assisting the National Transportation Safety Board, which has launched an investigation into the accident.
Brother Ellis is the first on-the-job casualty of 2021 for our union. Last year, four of our members died while in service. He is survived by his wife, Trinity, and children.
An online fundraiser has been established by fellow Local 1544 member Jimmey Diaz during this time of loss for Brother Ellis’ family.
“There are no words to describe how we are all feeling at this moment,” Diaz wrote on the GoFundMe page. “The smiles and laughter will forever be remembered my friend.”
The SMART Transportation Division offers its sincere condolences to Brother Ellis’ family, his Local 1544 brothers and sisters and all those who knew him.