My father’s father came to America from Ireland at the age of 12. He eventually became a supervisor at an ice company in Brooklyn, New York. This was at a time when most people did not have electric refrigerators and still had ice delivered in blocks for their iceboxes at home. In 1935, there was an explosion at the plant on Stilwell Avenue. My grandfather initially got out safely but went back in to help his co-workers. He was badly burned and later died leaving a widow and six children. I was born 14 years later. My father told me the story and in addition to making me sad, it inspired me that he cared enough about his mates to try to help them. I hope I have shown a fraction of his courage in my life. And I am glad that I have had the opportunity to work for a union that holds safety as a fundamental principle.
