"Time Capsule" and Timeless Union Pride
JOURNAL: ISSUE 3 - 2016
Editor's Note: BAC Wisconsin District Council (WI DC) Life member Gladwyn "Denny" Daines has been a Union member for over 60 years. BAC Journal editors recently took an opportunity to have a phone conversation with Brother Daines who shared his insights about the Union throughout his career.
On the last day of his work, Brother Daines purposely left his lunch box with a note written "Retired 12-31-85, Bricklayers Local #13" and cemented them in an interior block wall of the project, a historic pump house. He thought it would never be uncovered in his lifetime. Fortunately, during a recent renovation of the building performed by the Madison Metropolitan Sewerage District, this "time capsule" was unearthed (see photo). The discovery also led to a further collaboration of the District and BAC Wisconsin District Council to run a story in local news media, connect him with the District Council Director Gary Burns and Field Representative Jim Vick, and reintroduce him to his old friends at the Union.
From left, Jeff Brochtrup and Bruce Borelli of Madison Metropolitan Sewerage District, Roy Watson who worked with Brother Daines at Anthony Grignano Company, BAC WI DC Field Representative Jim Vick, Brother Daines, Local 13 WI members Jim Meyers and Richard (Bulldog) Klecker who also worked with Brother Daines, retired WI DC Director Jeff Leckwee and current WI DC Director Gary Burns.
Prior to joining BAC Local 34 Wisconsin (now Local 13 Wisconsin) in 1955, Brother Daines served as a baker in the U.S. Navy during the World War II. His passion for bricklaying and the Union motivated him to run for office. He was elected and served as President of the Local, and worked with the tools until his retirement in December 1985.
When asked if he had to choose his career again, would he still choose to be a bricklayer, he responded, "Yes! Through the Union, we earned top dollar for hard work. I worked on many projects I am proud of, and I was able to support my family in comfort." Iconic buildings such as the Conrad Hilton, The Madison Concourse, and University Agriculture Building contain brick and mortar that touched his hands.
Giving advice to young apprentices who are starting out in the trades, Brother Daines says, "You need a lot of ambition in this work. Don't quit in the beginning; stick with it because it pays off in the end. When you have the chance, make sure you invest in your pension and health insurance. Without those two things I would never have been able to retire in dignity or care for my wife (Marlene Campbell) when she fell ill with terminal cancer."
Speaking of the upcoming election, Brother Daines had some choice words for the GOP presidential candidate Donald Trump, "I've seen a lot of elections over the years, and I will NOT be voting for Mr. Trump. He's nothing more than a spoiled rich kid who thinks the world should be handed to him. I want a President who is qualified for office."
Brother Daines, center, shows his "time capsule" with daughter Sandy Griep and son Scott Daines.
A 60-year amazing career with the Union is worth a special retirement celebration for Brother Denny Daines who spends his summers working in his flower and vegetable garden, and winters developing projects for his family. His retirement has been "the best," according to Brother Daines, now 92, still drives his truck, goes fishing, and works on his own projects from carpentering a coffee table to building a tree house. He lives independently in Wisconsin, but remains close to his family including his three children Sandy, Scott and Todd.