Remembering Union Family Who Passed in 2023

We lost a number of great union brothers and sisters in 2023.  We want to take a moment to remember some of these wonderful people.

In January we learned of the passing of Maine Service Employees Association member Ted Rippy the previous December. From 2010 to 2012, Ted was a leader in MSEA’s Local 771 Chapter, which was named for the starting hourly wage of $7.71 for personal care assistants at the time of the chapter's founding. He was a fierce advocate for for home-care services for seniors and people with disabilities.

Brother George Cutten (LIUNA 327) passed away while on the job at the Sappi mill in February. George was a long-time active member of Laborers Local 327 and an advocate for working people.

In March, longtime labor champion Sarah Watson passed away after a brief illness. She is remembered for her big heart, passion and devotion to improving the lives of working class people during her nine-year career on staff at the Maine Service Employees Association.

April was particularly difficult month for our tight-knit labor community. Bangor firefighter Jake Madden (IAFF 772) tragically took his own life after suffering with work-related PTSD. Known as a dedicated firefighter and family man, Madden left behind his fiancée and three children.

Also in April, we lost Brother Nathan Belanger (IBEW 567). He was a good and active union man who was loved by his friends, family and coworkers. Brother Belanger was active in many of our Maine AFL-CIO events like Labor Lobby Day and Labor Summer Institute.  

The same month Peter Anthony Cloutier (IBEW 2327) died unexpectedly at his family farm. Brother Peter worked as a telephone technician. Cloutier represented the people of South Portland in the Maine State Legislature for three non-consecutive terms from 1979-1980, 1992-1993, and 1995-1996, where he was a strong advocate for education and working class Mainers.

October was a devastating month for Maine and the city of Lewiston. We lost two union brothers in the tragic mass shooting in Lewiston in October. Brother Peyton Brewer-Ross (IAM S6) was killed while playing cornhole at Schemengees Bar & Grill. Brother Peyton was a new father, a superman fanatic and pipefitter at Bath Iron Works, where he served on the IAM Local S6 Education Committee. Friends and coworkers remember Peyton as a kind, funny, sensitive and likable man.

Lewiston Letter Carrier Stephen Vozzella (NALC 241) was also lost in the senseless mass shooting at Schemengees Bar & Grill. Brother Stephen was an active member of New England Deaf Cornhole and was remembered for his "excitement and huge smile.”

In November we lost USW 900 member Arthur Allen, who passed away suddenly of natural causes at the Nine Dragons Mill in Rumford, where he had worked for 40 years. Friends and colleagues remember Brother Arthur as a kindhearted, gentle giant and a proud union man who was well liked and respected.