John E. Lawe

John Edward Lawe spent his entire working life in the U.S. labor movement, including thirty-five years with the Transport Workers Union of America, AFL-CIO, as a dues-paying member, officer, and international president from 1985 to 1989. An emigrant from Kilgass, Strokestown, County Roscommon, Ireland, he became a dynamic local union leader, forceful negotiator, forward-looking labor statesman, and thoughtful labor spokesman. He befriended and helped struggling emigrant peoples, and as a proud Irish American he was chosen grand marshal of New York City's 1987 St. Patrick's Day Parade while remaining faithful to both his native land and his adopted country. He was also regarded as a dutiful husband, loving and protective father, involved and much-honored community citizen, and concerned Roman Catholic gentleman.

East Durham, New York · United States