Over a Century of Membership in One Family

Local 4 NJ retiree John Squartino in an 1990 photograph.

John Squartino, a BAC member since October 1950, got his start in the trade and Union from his father. When he was discharged from military service, he received $20 a week from the government for a total of 52 weeks. When the money ran out, he was uncertain about what to do next. Rather than scold his son for not working, John’s father, Frank Squartino left his pay envelope where John could see it. When John saw how much his father was making, he asked his father to help get him a job as an apprentice bricklayer. John picked up the trade right away. In his 50-plus year career he worked on many diverse and beautiful jobs such as churches, schools, hospitals, and colleges.

Local 4 NJ retiree Frank Squartino in an undated photograph.

Frank Squartino, who received his Gold Card in 1966, was a shop steward during much of his later career. According to son John, “I was very proud of my father. I worked alongside him on different jobs. He was a great craftsman, and he loved being in the Union.” Occasionally, the start of Frank’s workday might be delayed an hour or two, so he would doodle on the time book. Below is one of the poems that he wrote:

MYSELF AND ME
I am the best pal I ever had, I like to be with me.
I like to sit and tell myself things confidentially.
I often sit and ask me, if I shouldn’t or I should,
And I find my advice to me is always pretty good.
I never get acquainted with myself, ‘til here of late,
And I find myself a bully chum, I treat me simply great.
I talk with me and walk with me, and show me right and wrong.
I never knew how well myself and me could get along.
I never try to cheat me. I’m as helpful as can be,
No matter what may come or go, I’m on the square with me.
It’s great to know yourself and have a pal that’s all your own.
To be such company for yourself, you’re never left alone.
You try to dodge the masses and you find the crowd’s a joke,
If you only treat yourself as well as you treat other folk.
I’ve made a study of myself, compared with the lot,
And I finally concluded I’m the best friend I’ve got.
Just get together with yourself, and trust yourself with you,
And you’ll be surprised how well yourself will like you if you do.