Celebrating the Life & Work of Ron Carey

It was a day to remember that touched every emotion.

There was laughter: Ron’s Campaign manager Eddie Burke told the crowd about how when he first shook hands with Ron, he felt for a pinkie ring. “Don’t wear them,” Ron said. “Me, neither,” Burke replied.

There was anger. Ron’s son Dan told how betrayed his father felt by the Local 804 Executive Board “for going along with Hoffa and with UPS management—and for forgetting that it’s the members they’re supposed to serve.”

And of course, there were tears. Ron’s wife, brother, children and grandchildren all attended the event and were represented on stage by son Dan Carey, grandson Daniel Marchese, and daughter Sandra. There was not a dry eye in the room when Ron’s family members finished speaking.

But above all there was pride—and a focus on the future.

As Local 804 member William Riley Fernandez said, “It’s not enough to praise the good old days. It’s our job to organize to bring a better day and a brighter future for working people. We are here honoring Ron Carey because in honoring him, we carry the torch that has been passed from him to us. In doing so, we carry on and continue the legacy for future generations.

“So sisters and brothers, there is only one thing to do now and that is to unite our cause, unite our voices, unite our strength and take back our union! It’s time to CAREY ON! CAREY ON! CAREY ON! CAREY ON HIS LEGACY!”

A documentary film crew filmed the event. Photos and video of the event will be online soon. Click here to contact Local 804 Members United if you are interested in getting a DVD of the entire two-hour program.

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