Brothers and Sisters,
 
We are a tight knit community.  Not only as teamsters but also as railroaders. When one of us falls, we all feel the loss.
 
On December 24th, 2009, Charlie Rodin, long time EGF on the Pacific Region passed away in Salmon Arm from complications with his liver.  Charlie had retired earlier in the year, after decades of loyal service to the railway and membership in the Union. Charlie and I had been friends since the eighties and retired Local Chairman Jim Daniel, who sent me the following, had known and worked with him even longer:
 
"...John and I went to Charlie's funeral on Saturday. The service was well attended by friends and relatives, many of who Charlie had worked with over his many years on the railroad. Frank L'Henaff gave the eulogy, reminiscing about some of his adventures with Charlie from childhood thru to present commenting repeatedly on Charlie's stand up character, mentoring qualities  and loyalty to his friends. He also highlighted Charlie's sense of humour and related some of the better practical jokes he tended to pull, all harmless. Frank let us all know that CPR was a big part of Charlie's life pointing how ironic it was that Charles Peter Rodin initials are CPR. It is no secret that Charlie trained many supervisors over the years many of them in attendance. He was also a huge mentor to the membership again with many in attendance..."
 
Goodnight Charlie, rest well. You leave behind a legacy and we will remember.
 
On Sunday, January 24th, 2010, my good friend Danny Wood succumbed to cancer in Revelstoke. Danny started work at the CPR on my Bridge and Building crew in 1983.  We built bridges together, repaired the wooden snow sheds, dodged avalanches, installed more culverts than I care to remember, built retaining walls and all of this was done in the most demanding weather and geographic conditions imaginable, from Field to Kamloops but mostly in the Rogers Pass. In between work, we also managed to comfort each other when parents died, we saw each other's children be born and I got to watch him get married. Actually. I even remember when he first started dating Theresa. He was my friend, my brother and my colleague. 

Shayne Brighton, local chair of lodge 208 and the closest friend either of us has ever had, wrote the following, while obviously holding in his pain:
 
"...I regret to inform you of the passing of Danny Wood, on Sunday January 24th, 2010,
After a nine month battle with cancer he is laid to rest at the early age of 47. He is survived by his wife Teresa, his Son Mitch and his Daughter Jesse. Since he was 18 years old he has worked in various divisions and positions throughout British Columbia, for Canadian Pacific Railway, in the Bridge & Structures Departments, for almost 29 years. Throughout his career, he was a Loyal Union Brother and Vice-President of Lodge 208, with the Teamsters Canada Rail Conference Maintenance of Way Employees. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, four wheeling and traveling with his family. He will be truly missed by his friends, co-workers and family. The Funeral will be held at the Revelstoke, BC. Recreation Centre, 600 Campbell Ave, on Saturday January 30th, 2010 at 2:00 pm...."
 
From Shayno and me and your countless friends, God bless you Danny. We love you and we really miss ya.
 
Stay safe stay strong, stay United,
 
Bill Brehl