In Memoriam
Brother Lew Udow

It was with deep sadness that the MFL learned of the death of Brother Lew Udow, a long time activist member of CUPW and the NDP. Brother Udow passed away after suffering a massive heart attack on Saturday, February 17.

MFL President Darlene Dziewit was a long time acquaintance of Lew Udow. She expressed the following throughts on his passing.

Brother Lew Udow will be greatly missed. I met Lew well over 25 years ago. All of us new, young trade unionists at the time were impressed with his intelligence, but even more so, with his commitment to trade unionism and social activism. One never doubted that Lew lived his beliefs. Whether on a picket line, in his workplace or in his political and union involvement no one questioned Lew Udow's motives or principles.

I will forever remember Lew best in his favourite place - standing at a microphone at an MFL or NDP convention. A great parliamentarian, Lew would get up any time the convention got bogged down in procedure, and explain the proper way to proceed. Sometimes we would heed his advice, and other times, usually to our detriment, we did not. I don't think Lew ever held it against us when we didn’t always listen to him. I think he just wanted us to be orderly and respectful of one another.

Brother Udow spoke at conventions on issues, as well as procedures. He always filtered his position through a socialist, leftist lens. He was consistent, and his positions were always logical and measured. We didn't always agree, but we agreed more often than not.

The last time I saw Lew, he was chewing on his pipe, and he looked the same as always. He had just shuffled up to the mike at the NDP convention on some point or another. He was a fixture in our movement, and we all just thought he would be around forever to provide his advice, guidance and wisdom.

Damn, I'm sorry he has left us.

Darlene Dziewit
MFL President