Friday, October 25, 2024
I was introduced to Earl by the late Ed Lozaw in 2005. I was researching people and events for the manuscript for my book Hard Hats of Niagara. Ed told me at the time that Earl would be an excellent resource for the manuscript and boy was he right. Earl provided me with a plethora of contacts from shakers and movers to regular working class tradesmen. Not only that, Earl also volunteered background information on many. His contributions were enormous for the successful publication in 2011.
Along the way, I came to appreciate the profile of Mr. Frampton. He was a friend to the blue collar legions of tradesmen. He was a cause-maker, guardian of the working men and women who are the core of the American experience. His initiatives for community projects in resourcing workers and funding are well known. He set the cause, established the need and was the catalyst for change from the Union Hall to City Hall as well as regional and national assemblies.
In his tenure as the AFL/CIO Community services liaison for the United Way in Lockport, New York in Niagara County and Niagara Orleans Central Labor Council AFL/CIO, led him to becoming an architect for the establishment and placement of the Workers Memorial dedicated to the Tradesmen and Women who suffered fatal accidents on the job. Starting with the names of the twenty men who were fatalities constructing the Niagara Power Project and those Union Brothers and Sisters who became worksite fatalities since.
Earl later shared with me the difficulty in finding a site for placement of the Memorial Wall. It took two years to orchestrate and he humbly added, “The Power Authority came through for us and provided the site at the Reservoir. “ Earl was never short to give credit where credit is due and it is my belief that Mr. Frampton’s dogged determination made the Memorial Wall reality.
Whenever I spoke with Earl he always asked how my family was doing. The essence to Earl and all that he fought for was found in his home; His partner in life Jeanne and their family. He shared that sanctity of family with his Organized Labor Brothers and Sisters and the families of his regional and national community.
Earl casts a long light for the betterment for all these things and advancement for the common good. For myself, my wife Cheryl and all of our fellow Hard Hats of Niagara we extend our gratitude for Earl and his service and condolences to his Family at home and in Union Halls everywhere.
Ken Glennon
Spokesman
Hard Hats of Niagara
