Union Provides Satisfaction on the Job and in
Retirement
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| J. Ronald Flury |
Thank you for the letter acknowledging my 50 years of
membership in the International Union of Bricklayers and
Allied Craftworkers.
I graduated from West Seneca Central School in West Seneca,
NY in June 1952 and, with the help of my uncle, William
Fuhrmann, a union bricklayer, I was indentured to a contractor
in September 1952 as an apprentice bricklayer, and inducted
as a member into Bricklayers Local 45 of Buffalo, NY.
I met my wife to be, Marlene Leininger, in high school
and we were married in September 1954. It turned out to
be the best move of my life. Joining the bricklayers was
the second best.
We were blessed with five lovely daughters
through the next 13 years and now are enjoying eleven
grandchildren. One of our daughters and her family
now live in Charlotte, NC and the others all live here in the Buffalo area.
In 1994 I was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis and
was unable to work with my tools any longer. Because of
this chronic disease, I was awarded a disability pension.
About one year after retirement I was offered a job teaching
apprentice school with Local 45 in Buffalo. With the help
of Local 45 Business Representative, William Wright, I
taught a blueprint reading class to young people in the
apprentice program. I enjoyed it very much and, when able,
I taught a hands-on red brick class to apprentices and
some journeymen from the P.C.C. and firebrick trades.
With my rheumatoid arthritis progressing, my wife and
I started going south when the cold comes to Buffalo. Feeling
much better in warmer climates, we now go to Naples, FL
where we rent a condo for three months. We both function
better in the warm climate.
I am now 68 years old and very grateful to the International
Union and Buffalo Local 45 (now Local 3 NY) for the opportunity
to provide for myself and my family through the years.
With the Union benefits provided we are enjoying a comfortable
retirement. Thank you, God bless you, and God bless America.
Sincerely,
J. Ronald Flury
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