Art Blarr Memorial Award

ART BLARR

Smiling, Sincere, Incorruptable

"A man who had become what he could and was what he was - ready at any moment to gather everything into one simple sacrifice."

"While lacing his skates at the Como Park Ice RInk on December 30, 1980, Arthur E. Blarr Jr. suddenly collapsed and died. With Art's passing, Local 1122 lost one of its most dedicated members." -Don Hoak, Feb. 1981

In April of 1961 Art Blarr became a member of Local 1122 and we received our first charter in May. He was elected our first Vice President, served as Area Representative Buffalo South in the late 60's, and was Secretary during the 1971 strike. In 1976 he was awarded the E.J. Mays Citizenship award for his efforts in the community by the WNY CWA Council. When he passed away, he was Chief Steward at New York Telephone's Franklin Street building and was also Chair of the Bylaws Committee. Beyond the official positions he held, he was always available to help the leaders of the local and never wanted praise or applause. He truly loved and cared for his fellow union craftspeople. Art was known as a "people person" and upper management respected him greatly. They knew they would hear from him if a decision adversely affected the members. If he was pushed far enough, his body language alone was enough to tell management to back off.

Art Blarr was a big man but his moral character and integrity were much bigger than his physical size. He always had a soft spot for the underdog.

This award is given annually to a member that has shown outstanding support for the Local in memory of Art Blarr. 

Award Recipients:

1981 Jim Ring

1982 William K. Rieger

1983 Linda Wilk

1984 Rita Biondo

1985 William K. Ratajczak

1986 Marge Kreuger

1987 Mary Wilson

1988 James McIvor

1989 Frank Guadagna

1990 Ralph Maguire

1991 Frank Kirst

1992 Nancy Huber

1993 Nancy Remington

1994 John Mudie

1995 Sherri Frank

1996 Alberta Roman

1997 Karla Lazewski

1998 John Carosa

1999 Frank Rago

2000 Bill Enright

2001 Bill Gang

2002 Hope Larish

2003 Dawn Kuznik

2004 Lisa Dobson

2005 Marianne Longo

2006 Karen Schoenhardt

2007 Joanna Wyzykowski

2008 Joanne R. Gauthier-Deneen

2009 Jason Withey

2010 Phil Comerate

2011 Thomas Roulley

2012 Nathan Wilson

2013 Patrick Mang

2014 Daniel Lukasiewicz

2015 Clifford Parks Jr.

2016 All Verizon members/strikers

2017 Colleen Brennan & Amanda Andriaccio

2018 Lori Marranca

2019 Justin Herkey

2020 ----

2021 ----

2022 Bryan Shepard

2023 Alexander Klaiber

2024