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SIU Mourns Retired Patrolman Joe Sigler

March 2004

Manuel “Joe” Sigler, a former SIU patrolman, business and port representative and safety director, passed away Feb. 12 in Indianapolis following a lengthy illness. He was 76. “He was a great union representative—always considerate and always looking out for the underdog,” said SIU President Michael Sacco upon learning of Brother Sigler’s death. “Joe was just a really great union guy, all the way around. He’ll be missed.” “He was a beloved union guy from the old school,” said St. Louis SIU Port Agent Becky Sleeper, whom Sigler mentored. “Joe was port agent when I arrived here. He took me under his wing, taught and showed me what I needed to know and do to be successful as a port agent…. He was totally union and would take the shirt off his back and give it to just about anybody if he thought it would help them.” “Joe’s death is such a great loss to all of us,” offered Valerie Miller, St. Louis SIU representative. “I have known him since I was about 6 or 7 years old … from way back in the old Lundeberg days. He always cared about his union brothers and sisters and kept in touch with us here at the port. Joe always wore his SIU T-shirt, jacket and his Lundeberg beef cap. He was SIU through and through.” Born in Gary, Ind., Brother Sigler donned the SIU colors in 1952 in the port of Chicago. Prior to joining the Seafarers, he served honorably in the U.S. Navy from 1944 to 1947. Brother Sigler spent the majority of his career working on the Great Lakes, but also worked in the deep sea and inland divisions. A deck department member, he sailed primarily aboard vessels operated by Great Lakes Towing Co. Brother Sigler came ashore in 1980. Thereafter, he held the positions of patrolman and SIU representative in Chicago; SIU representative, port representative and safety director in Algonac, Mich.; and safety director and port agent in the port of St. Louis. He retired in January 1995. Brother Sigler’s two sons, Manuel and Raymond; and one daughter, Terrilyn, survive him. A memorial service for Brother Sigler was held Feb. 14 in Indianapolis.