June 2018

At this year’s annual retirees recognition celebration two things were missing. First, Paddy Byrne, the Director of Training of the FTI, who normally serves as the Master of Ceremonies at the pin presentations, was away in Greece celebrating his wife’s 60th birthday. Second and more importantly, William (Bill) Hunt, our longest serving, continuous member of our Council, was unable to attend due to health issues.

Today both Bill and Paddy were able to get together along with Business Manager, David Holmes, to recognize an important milestone in our union’s history. Bill, at the fine old age of 98, was presented with his pin recognizing his over 70 years of continuous membership in our union. This is an amazing accomplishment and marks the first time ever our Council has handed out a 70 year pin.

Bill was very appreciative of the fact that Dave and Paddy took the time to travel out to Abbottsford in order to present Bill with his pin personally. However, Bill’s biggest smile of the day came when Paddy presented him with a nice bottle of Cabernet Sauvignon. Paddy told Bill that he and Dave are looking forward to presenting Bill with his 71 year pin next year along with another bottle of wine, which of course elicited another big smile from Bill.

Congratulations again Bill from all of the Members of IUPAT DC 38.

(UPDATE)    Sadly, it is with our deepest regrets that we must inform you that our beloved friend and brother, Don Paton, has now passed away. We were informed this week by his daughter Laura, that Don succumbed to his illness on Monday evening. A memorial service is being planned for Don, sometime around the end of July. We will keep you posted as to the details once we receive them. Our sincerest condolences go out to Don’s entire family.

   We regret to inform you that long time Member of DC 38 and former Business Representative for Glazier’s Local 1527, Don Paton, is in failing health. Don, known to most of our members as “Santa Claus” at the annual DC 38 Children’s Christmas Party, is currently battling cancer and by all accounts, our beloved brother has very little time left with us.

Director of Training Paddy Byrne and Drywall Finishing Instructor, Kelvin Campbell, paid Don a visit at Abbottsford hospital yesterday in an effort to pick up Don’s spirits and to let him know his brothers and sisters at DC 38 have him at the forefront of our minds right now. The sad story here is that Don only recently lost his wife Patricia, who was our “Mrs. Claus” to this same terrible disease. Don was so consumed with looking after the love of his life in her final days that he never let anyone know the pain that he was suffering from and the extent to which the cancer in him was progressing.

Don is currently in room 3036 at Abbottsford Hospital, however there are plans to move Don into hospice as soon as possible.  Don would welcome anyone who would like to pay him a visit but please check with the union hall first as to the status of Don’s situation.

We wish Don and his family all the best in this time of sorrow and wish to express our love and gratitude for everything Don has done in the service of our union.

Speaking with Don yesterday, he told us that his fondest memories will always be of the union Christmas parties and the joy both he and his wife Patricia shared in spending time with all of the children and their parents. Don’s only regret was that Christmas wasn’t 365 days of the year.