Harry E. Conlon

Harry E. Conlon, retired General Board member and president of Chicago 458-3M, died April 6. He was 76.

GCC/IBT Pres. George Tedeschi expressed condolences to Conlon's family. He added that "brother Conlon made significant contributions to his local union, the International union, and the labor movement."

GCC/IBT Secy.-Treas. Gerald H. Deneau praised Conlon as a "gifted and dedicated union leader. His many contributions during his years as an officer of his local, on the General Board, and on GCIU pension fund boards helped to grow the union and the funds and made both stronger."

Born into a union family on Chicago's South Side–his father was a police officer and his grandfather was an ironworker–Conlon became an apprentice stripper in 1947 at the Chicago Sun-Times, where he joined the Photo Engravers Union.

His apprenticeship was interrupted when he was drafted for three years of service with the Army in the Korean War, during which time he rose to the rank of first lieutenant and received numerous military honors.

After military service, Conlon returned to Chicago and completed his apprenticeship at the Sun-Times. He later did commercial rotogravure layout at Acme Gravure and Neo Gravure.

An active union member for more than 40 years, Conlon began his union leadership career by serving as shop steward and executive board member before his election to president of Photo Engravers Local 5 in 1962.

Following the merger of the Lithographers and Photo Engravers unions, Conlon was elected executive vice president of LPIU Local 245 in 1966. In 1973, the Bookbinders merged with LPIU to form the Graphic Arts International Union (GAIU).

In 1977, Conlon was elected president of GAIU Local 245. That year, he also became chairman of the Inter-Local Pension Fund (ILPF), a post he held for 11 years. The ILPF, which is funded solely by member contributions, was established in 1950 by five midwestern local unions, including the Chicago local. He also served on the board of the GCIU Supplemental Retirement and Disability Fund.

First elected an International councilor in 1964, Conlon served on the governing boards of the GCIU and its predecessor unions for 22 years until 1988. He retired as local president in December 1989.

Conlon served as a vice president of the Illinois AFL-CIO for eight years and also was president of the Chicago Allied Printing Trades Council.

An avid skier, swimmer and racquetball player, Conlon began running on his 50^th birthday and ran in more than 10 marathons.

Survivors include his wife Irene; daughters Deborah, Pamela and Colette; five grandchildren; and one great- grandchild.

For those who wish, donations may be made to the Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) Association at 27001 Agoura Rd., Suite #150, Calabasas Hills, Calif. 91301-5104.