Lynn Williams Obit

LYNN RUSSELL WILLIAMS

Obituary |  Condolences
LYNN RUSSELL WILLIAMS Obituary
WILLIAMS LYNN RUSSELL

        With great sadness, his children announce the peaceful passing of Lynn at the Harold and Grace Baker Centre, Toronto, on May 5, 2014, at the age of 89. Beloved husband of 53 years of the late Audrey Williams, Lynn will be deeply missed by his sister, Carol, and her husband, Doug Head and their family, and his four children and 11 grandchildren, Judy Hocking, Sarah and Michael, David and Sharon Williams, Rebecca, Jeremy, Evan and Christopher, Barbara Williams and Christopher Dossett, Amanda, Kimberly and Gregory, Brian Williams and Julie Bélanger, Gabriel and Soline. Lynn devoted his working life and passion to the labor movement, seeking to bring the power of working people to the negotiating table to achieve a fair and prosperous society.

In Canada and the United States, he spent 38 wonderful years with the United Steelworkers of America, serving as its first-ever Canadian President from 1983 – 1994. He fought relentlessly for social justice on as many fronts as possible, including as a core supporter of the democratic parties north and south of the border.

While his work has been recognized in many forums, including in 2005 by being honored as an Officer of the Order of Canada, there is no doubt that what mattered most to him was the warm support he received from the rank and file of the Steelworkers Union, whom he considered it a profound privilege to serve.

In his retirement years, the Steelworkers have been as a family for him – a remarkable loyalty that is deeply appreciated by his loved ones. A small private ceremony will be held this week, and a Memorial Service for friends and colleagues will be organized in the near future.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Parkinson Society of Canada or to the United Steelworkers Humanity Fund.

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Published in Pittsburgh Post-Gazette on May 7, 2014