Bucky West

In addition to his parents he’s preceded in death by his wife, Gail Marie West. His sisters, Jackie West, Dorothy Vogt, and Peggy Ellis. Son-in-law David Jackson. Step-son Tommy Masker and his wife Pam. Step-daughter Donna Brown.

He is survived by his children Babette “Rabbit” Jackson & Dwight “DE” West III, Step-son, Andy (Ginny) Masker. Grandchildren: David “Cricket” (Diana) Brown, Arielle “Sugarbugger” (Sam) Stoner, Andrew (Chrissy) Masker, Max “Maxter”(Erin) Daniels, Sielana “Sally” (Cody) Johnson. Great-grandchildren: Malia “Bugs” and Kylie “Smiley Kylie” Brown, Ayden “Fireball” and Emmett “Stormin-E” Stoner, Hunter “Hambone”, Tanner “TR’d”, Jacob, and Gunner “Slinger” Masker, Brynlee “Rotton” Cotton and Blakelee Johnson. Sisters: Debby (Jimmy) Shackleford and Frances Shields. Brother: Frank West and Brother in law: Dave (Diane) Berry. And a host of nieces, nephews, family, and friends.

Bucky shared this of his life:

Joined International Brotherhood of Painters, Paperhangers and Decorators of America-June 1958-serving a three year apprenticeship-continuous membership to this day.

Melbourne High School-Graduated June 1959

Worked on various industrial painting and sandblasting job sites on Cape Kennedy, Merritt Island Launch Area, and Patrick Air Force Station. In fall of 1961 went to Denver, Colorado and worked as a foreman in the construction and painting of the Titan missile underground silos both in Denver and Rapid City, South Dakota.

Returned to Florida in December 1962 continued to work as both a industrial and residential painter until 1970.1st marriage to Barbara Maxine Redmond on February 22,1964- two children from this union Babette and Dwight. 2nd marriage to Gail Marie Masker on June 19, 1969

Having been active in my Local Union #1287 and at various times was elected to the offices of warden, recording secretary, financial secretary, vice-president and negotiating committee member. In 1970 interviewed by the Executive Board of Local Union 1010 of Orlando for the position of Organizer and was hired . We where successful in our efforts to move into organizing not only in the trades but in the public sector as well.

In 1976 I was elected to serve as Business Manager and President of Local Union 1010 continuing to serve in these positions until 1996 When I was elected as Business Manager/Secretary-Treasurer of the newly formed statewide District Council #78-Florida. The District Council took control of and was responsible for all finances, including hiring of all representatives, organizers, office help, apprenticeship and journeyman up grade training pension and health and welfare collections and collective bargaining for all locals in the state. I served in this position until I retired in 7-1-2000. During the time of my hire as organizer until I moved to the District Council we increased the membership of Local Union 1010 by approximately 2200 plus members.

Other non-paying positions beyond the above I served as Chairman of COPE(committee on political education) for the then Central Labor Council of Brevard from approximately1967 to 1974.I served as Chairman of the Walt Disney Maintenance Council consisting of 9 trade unions with a membership of about 2400 plus members at that time, from1984 to 1991. I also served as President of the Central Florida Building and Construction Trades Council consisting of 17 different trade unions from 1989 to 1997. I served on Local Union 1010 Health and Welfare Fund and Apprenticeship and Journeymen Training Fund from 1973 until 1996 when it became D. C. #78 and continued until 2000. I served as a member of the International’s General President Advisory Committee from 1982 to 2000, originally consisting of 7 Districts and 7 members later expanded to 25 members .

I had the honor of representing the National Building and Construction Trades Department along with one other Building Trades representative as official USA election observers to the election of Nelson Mandela as President of South Africa in 1994.

In lieu of flowers please donate to American Cancer Association and/or American Lung Association in Bucky’s honor.