UPDATE 6/29/09

OPEN LETTER FROM PRESIDENT CAROL DOTLICH

Many years ago, Howard Ocobock answered the call of the labor movement.  Active at the local and statewide level, as a proud member of Local 1326, he held office, represented members at Policy meetings, conventions and conferences.

In 2004, Howard was elected Vice President of AFSCME/WFSE Council 28.  He also served as a Vice President to the Washington State Labor Council.  In his role as Vice President, he worked hard to model all that is best in the labor movement.  He said the members deserve the best and he tried to give it to them.

He supported the PEOPLE program of the union in a way no one in the nation who came before him ever had.  He challenged the statewide membership to achieve a goal to reach 10% MVP status statewide.  When the number of PEOPLE members increased dramatically, he decided to get the tattoo.  Howard and I worked with an artist named Boris the Russian to design the tattoo and Tim Welch created a little comic book sketch of the event.  Howard was delighted with his unique tattoo and loved showing it off.  He is an AFSCME union man through and through and now he sports proof of that. He was delighted when AFSCME magazine displayed his photograph and story about his commitment to the PEOPLE program.

Howard believed in the Next Wave program.  He believed that the future of the labor movement was critically important and a responsibility we all bear.  In years past, unions held family events; picnics, parties, etc. and the children of union members still hold dear these happy memories.  Howard pursued recreating that love of the labor movement by helping to host union camp outs last year.

Howard was a trusted friend to many.  The stories of how he made a difference in the lives of our members are endless.  The gift of his presence in our lives will be timeless.  Those of us whose lives he touched will carry his generous and loving spirit in our hearts and minds as we move forward on our own journeys.  We are the richer for having known him.

Howard knew and appreciated that during his illness, AFSCME International leaders asked about his health and wished him well.  He treasured the moments he spent with the members and was happy to receive their cards and well wishes.

Howard’s services were held June 15, 2009.  Displayed prominently was a flowered green cross and a green ribbon with AFSCME emblazoned across it. 

On behalf of Council 28, and from me personally, heartfelt thanks to each of  you who supported Howard and those he loved for your many acts of selfless kindness during this difficult time. 

In solidarity,

Carol Dotlich

UPDATE 6/16/09

HOWARD OCOBOCK LAID TO REST WITH FULL MILITARY HONORS

Hundreds gathered in Yakima Monday (June 15) to pay their respects to Howard Ocobock, the Federation’s vice president, who died June 6.

More than half the attendees were Federation members from all across the state.

After a moving funeral service, Ocobock was laid to rest at Keith and Keith Cemetery with full military honors conducted by William Wharton Post No. 379 of the Veterans of Foreign Wars.

Ocobock served 30 years in the United States Navy, National Guard and Naval Reserve.

At the funeral service, Federation President Carol Dotlich and Executive Director Greg Devereux were called on to give Ocobock a union tribute.

Dotlich noted the tattoo Ocobock got when Federation members accepted and met his challenge to reach 10 percent membership in the PEOPLE program.

“He’s an AFSCME man through and through and now he sports proof of that for eternity,” Dotlich said.

Devereux praised Ocobock for his big heart and devotion to Federation members.

“Seemingly without effort, Howard set the bar so high for what a vice president should be that his successors will have to work hard to attain that level,” Devereux said. “It was a simple formula: Put the members first in all things, help the president in every way possible and don’t think about yourself. A simple formula, a successful formula, but not easy to replicate.”

Ocobock passed away June 6 in Longview after a courageous battle against cancer. He retired in March after 27 years as an equipment mechanic for the Department of Transportation in Yakima, where he became active in Local 1326. He was a past president of the local, as well as shop steward and Policy Committee delegate. In 1994, the Transportation Policy Committee first elected him to the Executive Board. He also served on all three General Government bargaining teams. In 2004, he was elected to the first of his three terms as vice president. And in 2006, he became a regional vice president for the Washington State Labor Council.

“We miss you Howard, thank you for your time with us,” Devereux said in his eulogy.

• We've set up a site where you can view photos and leave remembrances.