Posted:
October 28, 2013
American seagoing labor lost an iconic figure with the death of Jesse Calhoon, the former and longest serving president of the Marine Engineers' Beneficial Association, on Oct. 22. He was 90 years old.
"Jesse Calhoon was a leader in a remarkable generation for maritime labor," said American Maritime Officers National President Tom Bethel. "In their time, he and Ray McKay would compete fiercely over jobs for their respective memberships, but remained friends who respected, admired and trusted each other - a friendship affirmed by his attendance of the celebration of AMO's 50th anniversary in 1999, six years after Ray had passed.
"Although they were competitive, Jesse Calhoon and Ray McKay worked together on key issues of common interest to the U.S.-flag fleet and all American merchant mariners," Bethel said. "Calhoon's record of securing gains for his membership while fighting for the advancement of our industry speaks to his skill as a sharp and tough negotiator and a true leader in the maritime trades."
Calhoon first shipped out as a coal passer in 1939. He joined the National Maritime Union. During World War II, he made numerous voyages on the Murmansk run. He was aboard ships during the invasions of North Africa and Sicily, and survived when one of the vessels upon which he sailed was torpedoed in the Gulf of Mexico.
Calhoon worked his way up to obtain a license, and became a chief engineer by 1949. He came ashore to work for MEBA in 1954. He was elected secretary-treasurer in 1959, and became acting president in 1962. He was formally elected MEBA president in 1965 and served until retiring in 1985. During his tenure, he served on the Executive Board of the Maritime Trades Department, AFL-CIO.
"Jesse Calhoon was one of a kind," said Maritime Trades Department President Michael Sacco. "The maritime industry has lost a truly remarkable figure who fought hard for his membership."
Seagoing labor mourns loss of Jesse Calhoon
American seagoing labor lost an iconic figure with the death of Jesse Calhoon, the former and longest serving president of the Marine Engineers' Beneficial Association, on Oct. 22. He was 90 years old.
"Jesse Calhoon was a leader in a remarkable generation for maritime labor," said American Maritime Officers National President Tom Bethel. "In their time, he and Ray McKay would compete fiercely over jobs for their respective memberships, but remained friends who respected, admired and trusted each other - a friendship affirmed by his attendance of the celebration of AMO's 50th anniversary in 1999, six years after Ray had passed.
"Although they were competitive, Jesse Calhoon and Ray McKay worked together on key issues of common interest to the U.S.-flag fleet and all American merchant mariners," Bethel said. "Calhoon's record of securing gains for his membership while fighting for the advancement of our industry speaks to his skill as a sharp and tough negotiator and a true leader in the maritime trades."
Calhoon first shipped out as a coal passer in 1939. He joined the National Maritime Union. During World War II, he made numerous voyages on the Murmansk run. He was aboard ships during the invasions of North Africa and Sicily, and survived when one of the vessels upon which he sailed was torpedoed in the Gulf of Mexico.
Calhoon worked his way up to obtain a license, and became a chief engineer by 1949. He came ashore to work for MEBA in 1954. He was elected secretary-treasurer in 1959, and became acting president in 1962. He was formally elected MEBA president in 1965 and served until retiring in 1985. During his tenure, he served on the Executive Board of the Maritime Trades Department, AFL-CIO.
"Jesse Calhoon was one of a kind," said Maritime Trades Department President Michael Sacco. "The maritime industry has lost a truly remarkable figure who fought hard for his membership."