A longtime member and business agent’s commitment to Local 49 is having a ripple effect beyond his lifetime.
When Jack Guy, of Gilbert, Minnesota, died just before his 90th birthday in April, his wife decided to honor his memory with a donation to the Local 49 Training Center in Hinckley. Jean Guy, who was married to Jack for 69 years, said Jack saw the center as critical to developing future generations of operating engineers.
“That was very important to Jack, that people had a place to learn,” Jean said.
“Where else is there to learn about heavy equipment?” she added. “At 18 you can’t just walk out and get on a bulldozer.”
Born April 29, 1932, in Superior, Wisconsin, Jack learned from Jean’s father how to operate a crane. Jack was “not fast, but smooth,” Jean said.
According to his obituary, Jack helped build Erie Mining Company as a welder and Minntac as a crane operator.
A proud member of Local 49 since 1954, he became a business agent in 1978 and held the job until retirement in 1993, Jean said. He also served as vice president of Local 49.
“It was just important to him to be a union member,” Jean said. “And he could see the good that it did.”
Outside of work, Jack enjoyed fishing, hunting and flying his Bellanca Viking airplane.
He passed away April 15.
Geoffery Movold, interim director of the Training Center, expressed gratitude for the gift in Jack’s honor.
“We at the local 49 Training center are humbled and grateful for you, Jack Guy,” Movold said. “May your passion, dedication and generosity light the way for all future Forty-Niners.”
Learn more about the Local 49 Training Center here.
