In Memoriam: Gregory Waller & ED CZARNECKI

10/21/2014

Gregory Waller (right, in orange shirt), member of IBEW 1900 and longtime Charles County political activist, died last week at the age of 56. “Greg was a big man who was passionate about the trade union movement and the Democratic Party,” said Tri-County COPE Chair Bill Grooms.
Former AFL-CIO Department of Education Assistant Director Ed Czarnecki (83) died on Friday, October 17. “Ed was a highly respected labor educator with a long, proud history working with numerous unions and labor education centers around the country,” said Susan Washington, who worked with him at the AFL-CIO.

photo: Waller receiving the 2009 COPE award from Metro Washington Council president Jos Williams (right) and Metro Council Political Coordinator Rick Powell; photo by Bill Burke. Click below to read more on both Waller and Czarnecki, including details on their funerals.

Greg Waller won the Metro Council’s endorsement for his campaign for the Charles County Democratic Central Committee (CCDCC). “Greg wanted both unions and the Democratic Party to meet his high standards and would often get upset when either didn’t,” said Tri-County COPE Chair Bill Grooms. “He was a fierce friend and a formidable opponent, whose strength will be missed. Greg lived his life like a shooting star crossing the horizon, bright and brilliant and when it passes overhead you can’t help but look up in amazement.” A celebration of his life will be held this Saturday October 25, at the New Life Church in La Plata, MD (9690 Shepherds Creek Pl). The viewing will be from 10am-11am and the funeral will be at 11am.

Ed Czarnecki (left) “was the major craftsman and proponent of the AFL-CIO's One-on-One program member-to-member communications that was adapted from the IAM's Face-to-Face program and that was subsequently picked up by several other unions,” said Susan Washington. “He was a terrific mentor, always passing along his knowledge and techniques to those who wanted to learn.” Czarnecki worked as assistant director for Research and Education at the IBEW from 1958-1966, was Associate Professor and Director of the Labor Center at the University of Iowa from 1966-1977 and Assistant Education Director at the AFL-CIO from 1977-1993. Calling hours will be held this Friday, October 24 from 3 to 5 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. at Collins Funeral Home (500 University Boulevard West, Silver Spring, MD). The funeral will Saturday, October 25 at 11 a.m. at St. Andrew Apostle Church, Kemp Mill Road and Arcola Ave., Silver Spring, MD.