MONTREAL, Jan. 30, 2015 /CNW/ - The United
Steelworkers (USW) family in Canada and the U.S. is mourning the passing of
Guy Farrell, a prominent
Quebec labour and social
activist.
Farrell, assistant to the USW's Quebec Director, died Thursday night
surrounded by loved ones at the Source Bleue palliative care centre
in Boucherville, Que. He was
58.
An imposing figure with a booming voice and heart of gold, the
irrepressible Farrell made his mark in the labour movement over
four decades of courageous and combative activism.
Throughout his career he demonstrated genuine interest and
concern for the issues facing working people and was always
prepared to help those he met, said Daniel
Roy, the USW's Quebec
Director.
"We've lost a great labour activist and above all, a man with a
big heart," Roy said. "I had the privilege of working side-by-side
with Guy for 15 years and I learned to appreciate him so much. He
was a kind-hearted force of nature. He loved his union and was very
close to the members, always ready to fight tooth and nail to
defend them."
A Montreal native with Irish
roots, Farrell began working full-time at 17, as a welder at a
Dominion Bridge plant in 1974. He soon became active in his union
and earned growing support as an activist and leader, becoming
president of Steelworkers Local 2843 in 1990, later leading a
spirited battle to save the plant in 1998. He left the shop floor
in 2001 to become a USW staff representative and was hired as
assistant to the Steelworkers Quebec Director in 2007.
"We have lost one of the strongest, most principled unionists I
have had the good fortune to know and work with. Guy never backed
down, never gave up, which is why losing him is such a shock. His
steadfast friendship will not be forgotten. Guy, we will miss you
dearly," said Ken Neumann, the USW's
National Director for Canada.
"Guy was unbridled in his passion for workers and for fighting
for what's right. A fierce negotiator and campaigner, he gave his
life to the labour movement. We send our love and condolences to
Julie and his family. Guy will continue to inspire us for years to
come. He is gone too soon," said USW International President
Leo W. Gerard.
In one of his final public appearances last November, a
terminally ill Farrell delivered an emotional address to grassroots
Steelworkers activists from across Quebec gathered for their annual
convention.
"As union activists, the work we do has a real impact on the
lives of working people," he said. "So we can never give up. That's
my final message to you – never stop fighting!"
Farrell is survived by his wife Julie and sons Francis and
Kevin. A memorial service is scheduled for Feb. 7 at 1:30 p.m.
at the Centre multifonctionnel de Boucherville.
Donations in Farrell's memory can be made to Fondation Source
Bleue, at www.maisonsourcebleue.ca/fondation/faire-un-don.php
SOURCE United Steelworkers (USW)