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Friday, March 25, 2005 |
IAM Mourns Former GVP L. Ross MathewsIt is with deep sadness and fond memories that the IAM reports the passing of L. Ross Mathews, retired General Vice President. Mathews died on March 24 at age 96. Local 776-A member Ross Mathews began his career as an IAM member in 1943 working as a precision grinder operator in Ft. Worth Texas. A rock solid Machinist who rose through the ranks, Mathews served his union in nearly every position possible before retiring as General Vice President for the Northeastern Territory in 1972. “The Machinists Union was built by men such as Ross Mathews,” said International President Tom Buffenbarger. “His loyalty served as an inspiration for a generation of IAM members and his nearly 30-year record of service to this union warrants the thanks of every active and retired IAM member. Our heartfelt thoughts and prayers go out to every member of the Mathews family.” Mathews maintained a lifelong commitment to membership education and stayed active after his retirement. He attended every Grand Lodge Convention since 1960 except in 2004. His trade union spirit infused the picket lines in 2002 when at age 93 he walked with striking Local 709 Machinists in Marietta, GA. During his long career as an IAM representative, Mathews served in a variety of positions in Local 776-A and was District 776 Secretary-Treasurer before being named Special Representative in 1956. Four years later, in 1960, he was appointed Assistant Secretary to the General Secretary-Treasurer and in 1965 Mathews was elected resident General Vice President for IAM Headquarters. He took the reigns as GVP for the then Northeastern Territory in 1969. Funeral services will be held on Monday, March 28 at: Visitation will be at 1:00 p.m., followed by a funeral service at 2:00 p.m. Condolences may be sent to his daughters at: Malissa Katze and Susan Leviton In lieu of flowers, the family asks that IAM members make contributions to the Machinists Non-Partisan Political League (MNPL) on his behalf.
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