A Great Loss

It is with regret that we must announce the loss of former Business Agent David Randolph. David lost his battle with cancer on Friday, May 18, 2012. David will be missed by so many. His contributions to Local 671 were endless. Please keep his family in your thoughts and prayers.

David T. Randolph

Born in New Britain, Connecticut on Dec. 31, 1949
Departed on May 18, 2012 and resided in Canton, CT.

Service:

Monday, May 21, 2012

David Truman Randolph was born on December 31st, 1949 in New Britain, Connecticut. His mother Elizabeth Hansen Randolph (1920-2011), tragically widowed when David's father Truman Randolph (1921-1949) passed away before his birth, worked tirelessly to support and guide David and his older brother Gary Lee (1947-2011). Betty's love, buoyant spirit, unparalleled work ethic, and passion for the New York Yankees were more than evident in the way David chose to live his life. He graduated Pulaski High School and proceeded to put himself through college at the University of Connecticut – the first of his family to do so – honoring his love of nature by studying Geology (with beloved dog Mugger by his side at most classes), and graduating a lifelong UConn basketball fan.

At a party thrown by mutual friends, David met Carol Whitford, a young teacher from Wellsville, New York. Carol knew he was too good a man to let slip away, and the pair soon fell in love. They spent their courtship surrounded by a close-knit circle of friends, especially those David had grown to love in high school and with whom he always made time to go fishing. Carol and David spent summers as camp counselors at New Britain's Fresh Air Camp for underprivileged youth, which David referred to as "the best job he ever had." It was there David met Major Schade, the mentor who would eventually help him to present Carol with an engagement ring. They were married on April 14th, 1973, and would remain happily so for the next 39 years.

Carol and David moved to Canton, Connecticut and were blessed with three children: Lisa Marie, Brian Charles and Adam David. David continued to work long days (and often nights) as a driver for United Parcel Service to provide for his family, often taking his lunch break in a public park to get a few stolen moments with Carol and the kids. In 1995, having made a reputation for himself by repeatedly standing up for union rights, David (now "Boots" to his work family) was elected a Business Agent for Teamsters Local 671. He retired the browns for a suit and tie, at first an odd adjustment after so many years on the road. But he was at once fiercely dedicated to the new job and poured his heart into fighting for the union's many members, having found his passion.

David retired in 2010 at age 60 to enjoy the hard won fruits of his many labors, having always understood that life was short and what you make of it. He spent more and more time at the Randolph summer home on Harvey's Lake, Vermont, doing what he loved best – relaxing with his family and fishing with a brown dog by his side in the boat. He and Carol took many memorable trips with dear friends and surrounded themselves with love and laughter, his spirit indomitable. It would remain as such until his peaceful passing on May 18, 2012 from brain cancer.

David's last weeks were evidence of a life well lived – multitudes of cherished friends were always at his side, caring for his family and sharing the many good memories through which his soulful existence will live on. David is survived by his wife Carol, children Lisa, Brian and Adam, their beloved significant others Sean Russell, Hannah Keefe and Chaya Thanhauser, and his dog Lucy. His legacy is one of positivity, kindness to and respect for others, and the lasting effects of an honorable life lived on all who cross one's path – a true inspiration to those who knew him.

We will remember David together on Thursday, May 24th at 11:00 AM at the Avon Congregational Church, where he was a devoted member for over thirty years. David's care at Hartford Hospital throughout treatment and in end of life was administered with a kindness and sympathy for which his family is forever grateful. Memorial contributions may be made to the Avon Congregational Church or the Helen and Harry Gray Cancer Center at Hartford Hospital.

	A Message from the Secretary-Treasurer
	Dave Lucas

I would like to welcome you to the new Teamsters Local 671 website!

We are hopeful that this website will provide you with information to keep you updated with what is going on in your Local Union.  We are also open to suggestions that will enhance this site.

As the Principal Officer, it is my duty to assure that our members are kept informed of information.

This new site also has a direct link to the International Brotherhood of Teamsters website so you can stay up to date on the International front.  The site also has a link to the Joint Council 10 site.  The Joint Council is made up of all the Local Unions in New England.  Please take a moment to also view these sites.

As you look through the site, you will see our Business Agents and Representatives listed and what companies they are assigned.  If you have questions about your contract, you should call the Union Hall and talk to your Agent.  If you are covered under the Local 671 Health Plan, you can go to the menu and click onto Health Services to obtain whatever information you need.

If you are injured on the job, you should notify the Union Hall and your Business Agent as soon as possible so we can inform you of your rights.

You should also regularly look at your Union Bulletin Board to stay informed of what is going on throughout the union as well as your  our place of employment

I will be adding to my message on a regular basis as well as the entire site, so please check back often.  If you have suggestions that will make this site more informative and beneficial to our members, please feel free to contact me at any time.

As we continue through these very difficult economic times it is essential that we know politically who our friends are and more importantly who our enemies are.  We should all pay close attention to our local political races as well as the national elections.  Organized labor is constantly under attack from big business and the wealthy people who continue to become wealthy off the backs of the working men and women.  Labor laws are stacked against us to the point that these big companies like Walmart and FedEx simply spend whatever it takes to combat every effort we make to organize the unorganized.  Pension and health benefits have come to the forefront of all contract negotiations as these companies come to the table and blame the unions for the rising cost of health care and the economic problems that exist in the stock market and of course they blame the unions for the high unemployment rate.  Maybe they along with all the politicians need to take a good long look in the mirror they might find the real problems.  My message is a simple one we need to stand together and unite now more than any other time in history if we are going to survive.   It is time to stand up and fight. 

As always, if I can answer any of your questions or be of assistance to you in any way, please feel free to contact me at the Union Hall at any time at 860-242-3200 or via email at dlucas@teamsters671.com.

Fraternally,

Dave Lucas

Secretary-Treasurer

Principal Officer