IUPAT Int'l - pension

IUPAT retirees, who all worked on safe job sites and were properly trained, have the opportunity to live long and healthy retirements. Our efforts to ensure that proper training, safety and health are all top priorities has resulted in an increase in the number of checks our members receive and the number of years they have to enjoy with their families. Check back here often to find out which of your brothers or sisters have retired, and to hear about what some of them are doing in their retirement.

Retirees Stories
After a lifetime of hard work, recent IUPAT retirees are enjoying their retirement. We will occasionally check-in with some of our retirees and update you on what they are doing with their well-earned time.

John Jackson
District Council 30, Saint Charles, Illinois
Local Union 157, Peoria, Illinois
Retiring in July 2006, John Jackson with Local Union 157 in Peoria, Illinois is enjoying every second of his retirement. “Joining the Painters apprenticeship program more than 39 years ago was the best thing I could have done,” Jackson says. “I am now reaping in all my union benefits.”

Jackson has been traveling throughout the state of Illinois visiting family. “I was never one to be able to sit down and do nothing,” Jackson says. “I always have to be busy, even if it means just taking a walk around the neighborhood.” He also has been getting in more golf time since he retired. “I have been golfing for more than 30 years,” Jackson continues. “I love the challenge of the game. I am hoping to take a golfing trip with the boys down to Biloxi, Mississippi some time soon.”

Working at Fehr Painting for 10 years, Jackson is glad he stuck with the union. “Life is not always easy, not even in a union job,” Jackson says. “But if you commit yourself and stick with it, the union benefits you receive later on will prepare you for the best time of your life – retirement.” Jackson still talks to the guys he worked with at Fehr and likes to check in with everyone once in awhile just to see how things are going.

“John worked for us for a number of years,” Sharon Fehr, owner of Fehr Painting, says. “He was a very nice man and I enjoyed getting to know him at job sites and at company outings. We appreciate all the work he did for us and we wish him a great retirement with plenty of time for golf!”

“Everyone at District Council 30 would like to wish John a good retirement,” District Council 30 Secretary-Treasurer Chuck Anderson says. “It is always nice to see one of our members being able to enjoy their retirement.”

Michael Ray
District Council 77, Forest Park, Georgia
Local Union 57, Birmingham, Alabama
Michael Ray from Local Union 57 in Birmingham, Alabama is enjoying the retired life by spending time with his family and fishing at his camp house along the river. "The retired life is great," Rays says. "I have four grandkids under the age of 8 that are keeping me busy. They all live within a five mile radius from me, so I spend as much time with them as I can. It is truly the best experience to be there for them and watch them grow."

Ray began with the Painters in 1959, and feels it is the best decision he could have made. He began an apprenticeship program for three years before moving on to foreman, and then painter and finally supervisor at Vulcan Painters. "I spent 37 years at the same company," Ray continues. "The union provided the safety and security that I needed to raise my family. Working with the union was a great experience."

"We all wish Michael a great retirement," Local 57 Business Representative Fred Ward says. "It is nice to see a guy as young as Michael being able to enjoy his retirement and his time with his family."

Steve Simpson
District Council 77, Forest Park, Georgia
Local Union 57, Birmingham, Alabama
Steve Simpson of Local Union 57 in Birmingham, Alabama grew up in a union home. “My dad worked with the painters union his entire career,” Simpson says. “He’s the one who introduced me to the IUPAT in the 1970s, for which I am very grateful.”

Now retired, Simpson is enjoying his time at home with his family and taking care of the house and garden as well as his grandson. “It is nice to be able to sit back and enjoy the family,” he continues. “Thanks to the Painters, I am still financially able to provide for them.”

Busy with his family life, Simpson has not been able to see the guys from the union as often as he likes. “Time passes quickly when you are retired,” Simpson concludes. “This is why yo should make the most of your retirement.”

“Everyone here at Local 57 would like to wish Steve a good retirement,” Local Union 57 Business Representative Fred Ward says. “It is great to see one of our members enjoying their retirement with the people they care about the most – their family.”

Rolando “Papito” Castillo
District Council 9, New York City, New York
Local Union 20, West Queens, New York
In 1982 Rolando Castillo found a home with Local Union 20 in West Queens, New York, where he started work with the Colonial Art Decorators, Inc. Castillo, a proud member of the IUPAT, is very glad he joined the union. “The union helped me support my family,” Castillo says. “The pension I’m getting is great and I’m living a very comfortable lifestyle.”

Working as a painter, Castillo, a native of Guatemala, had a hard time picking up the English language. “It was very hard for me to pronounce peoples names,” Castillo says. “So I started calling everyone “Papito” and over the years they turned it around to be my nickname.”

Moving to Florida this past March, Castillo went to join his family who moved from New York a few years ago. “The weather and life in Florida is great,” he continues. “I am glad to be back with my family. I miss the guys I worked with in New York, but I do not miss the weather.”

“All of us here at DC 9 would like to wish Rolando a good retirement,” District Council 9 Business Manager/Secretary-Treasurer Sandy Vagelatos says. “Seeing our members able to enjoy their retirement with their families is what our union is all about.”

Samuel Miletto
District Council 21
Local Union 1955, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
SWorking with the Drywall Finishers at Local Union 1955, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Samuel Miletto misses the work he used to do on a daily basis. “My brother-in-law thought me the trade before I went into the union,” Miletto says. “Drywall finishing is something I enjoyed doing, so going to work was great. Not only was I getting a good pay and benefits, but I was working with a great group of people.”

Miletto instilled union values into his sons. “Both of my sons are union boys,” he continues. “One has been a mechanic with the union for a few years and my other boy is in his second year apprenticeship for drywall finishing.” Even though some people join the union for the money and the stability of the job, Miletto feels the reasons are much more than that. “You build a little family with the people you work with,” Miletto continues. “I hope the new guys coming into the union realize the great opportunity they are getting with the IUPAT and make the most of their training and opportunity they are given.

“It is hard to keep up with the union after you retire, but at least my sons keep me updated on what is going on,” Miletto says. “I do see some of the guys I work with, not as often as I like, but it’s still nice to see them once in a while.”

“I’ve known Sam for 18 years,” Business Representative Al Pisacno says. “Sam was a good union worker and was always there when you needed him. Everyone at Local Union 1955 would like to wish Sam a long and healthy retirement.”

Keep In Touch!
Are you retired? We’d love to hear what you are up to. Please Contact Us and tell us your story!
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