News

“Pray for the dead and fight like hell for the living.”

Posted June 2019

That quote from Mother Jones featured prominently in printed material everyone received on June 24, 2019, the day that would have been Larry Hanley’s 63rd birthday and served instead as the day of his memorial service.

Several members of the Transportation Learning Center staff joined hundreds of others in paying their respect to the late ATU President and Chair of the Center’s Board of Directors. Upon entering the hall at the Tommy Douglas Center, many people gasped after looking at the program: how on earth will we get through more than 20 speakers?

Each speaker remained brief and added something unique, resulting in an inspiring memorial service. We heard from: Larry’s successor as ATU President John Costa and other top ATU officials; the top three elected leaders of the AFL-CIO; two members of Congress; labor leaders and community leaders; and finally from Larry’s first cousin, Lauren Hanley and his daughter, Monica Hanley. Anne Feeney, a labor troubadour and friend of Larry’s, provided great music.

MC Danny Cassella, who leads ATU Local 726, Larry’s home local on Staten Island, opened up by joking that Larry had succeeded in getting everyone to attend a training session. Danny hit the nail on the head. This was an intense training on the meaning of social unionism as illustrated by Larry Hanley’s life.

Speaking very close to the end, Lauren Hanley challenged us all: Don’t just talk the talk about Larry’s good work; walk the walk by taking up the challenge of carrying on his work.

Larry Hanley Memorial Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z3jZnWWY6Aw&feature=youtu.be