We wish our heartfelt condolences to the family, friends and co-workers of Machinists Local S6 member Peyton Brewer Ross, 40, who was killed by a mass shooter Wednesday evening while he was playing cornhole at Schemengees Bar & Grill in Lewiston. Peyton was a new father, a superman fanatic and Bath Iron Works pipe fitter. Friends and coworkers remember Peyton as a kind, funny, sensitive and likable man. IAM Local S6 released the following statement about the loss of our Union Brother.
"Peyton Brewer-Ross will be remembered for who he was, a kind upstanding member of our community. He was a graduate apprentice Pipefitter who worked hard and cared deeply for the people around him. His compassion for others caused him to join the Local S6 Education Committee where he did all he could to go above and beyond to support his fellow workers. His humor and good nature made him an excellent addition to our family of representatives and committee members.
"His love of cornhole, wrestling, and comic book heroes made him a colorful character to be around. He could often be heard quoting Macho Man Randy Savage, one of his favorite wrestlers. All those who have been caught up in this tragedy have been left with a painful void. Our hearts and thoughts are with everyone who has been impacted, especially Peyton’s partner and young daughter.
"We will grieve his tragic passing and mourn with all who knew him, but we will remember him for his kindness, compassion, and strong character. Rest in peace Brother Peyton."
Peer Workforce Navigator Suzy Young of Food AND Medicine, who previously volunteered for the Maine AFL-CIO, helped Peyton during the pandemic and remembers him as being extremely polite and kind.
Peyton and his daughter.
Close childhood friend Wayne Benwell Jr. told the Portland Press Herald that Peyton could be a “ballbuster” but was also sincere.
“He’s into baseball and history. He also likes whimsical things like Superman, nerdy card games and dressing up like Macho Man to make you and himself laugh,” said Benwell. “If this happened to any one of us, he’d be beside himself with grief. He was sensitive like that.”
Sandra Scribner Merlim told the Press Herald that Peyton was one of the “three amigos” with her sons, Benwell and Dominic Cofone, when they were growing up in Westbrook. He was funny, respectful, laid-back and “salt of the earth,” she said. He had recently helped Benwell move and was always ready to lend a hand.
"It took him a long time to find the right girl and have a child, she said, but his two-year-old daughter was the light of his life. He was devastated that his mother never got to meet her, Benwell said.
Kevin Mann, of KaveMann Toys and Collectibles, remembered selling Peyton a Superman figure at an event in 2021 and seeing his elaborate Man of Steel tattoo.
“That moment right there was a Clark-Kent-to-Superman moment as Peyton Brewer-Ross showed a powerful visage and joy and contentment and we shared a priceless moment of kinship over toys,” he said.