John Dopp

John Dopp, retired president of former GCIU Local 3M, died in Marco Island, Fla., on March 18. He was 80.

Born in Chicago, Dopp served in the U.S. Marine Corps in the South Pacific during World War II. He earned the Purple Heart and three combat stars during his service.

Dopp was initiated into Franklin Union #4 in 1948. He began in the trade as a feeder operator for the Robert O. Law company.

After serving his apprenticeship, Dopp became a pressman and joined Local 3, which is now part of Chicago 458-3M. He served as an organizer with the local and in other positions until he was elected president. He served as president until his retirement in December 1988.

Pressmen's Union Local 3 had one of the oldest charters in the GCIU – dated Nov. 20, 1874. As a result of mergers, Local 3 included members of Specialty Local 385, Stereotypers Local 4, Assistants Local Franklin Union #4, Bindery Ladies Local 30, and Bindery Specialty Local 182. Local 3M merged with Local 458 on Jan. 1, 1989.

As president of Local 3M, Dopp served as a delegate on the Chicago Allied Trades Council, the Chicago Federation of Labor, the Illinois AFL-CIO, and to International conventions. He also served as a trustee of the Pressmen's Home in Tennessee and was active in International conferences.

Dopp is survived by his wife of 59 years Ursula, son Craig, daughter Denise Molinari, five grandchildren and four great grandchildren.