In Memory of Avelino "Abba" Ramos

Born: April 12, 1934 Hilo,HI Died: June 5, 2012, Richmond, CA

    Avelino "Abba" Ramos, at 78 years, died in his
    sleep of Lewy Body Dementia on June 5, 2012 at
    Bali Bay Care Home in Richmond, CA.

Abba dedicated his life to his family and to workers through
his service with the ILWU in Hawaii and California. Abba
graduated from the University of Hawaii in 1958 as one of the
first children of sugar workers to do so. In 1962 he met and
married Kimiyo Ramos, a music teacher and jazz singer from
Nagano, Japan. They moved to Berkeley, CA in 1962.  Abba
retired in 1997 and was honored at the 30th Internationall
Convention in Honolulu for his lifetime of service to the
ILWU in Resolution #R-13:

"Abba's education about economic, social and racial injustice
began in the 1930s on the sugar plantations of the Big
Island. His dedication to the ILWU began as a student and a
sugar worker in the 1940s. This led to his being hired in the
late 1950s as the first 'born in Hawaii' organizer for the
United Pacific Workers of Hawaii.

"Abba's life took a turn towards the mainland in 1962 when he
transferred to Local 6 in Oakland. He was first elected as
shop steward and later as Business Agent, where he served
until he was appointed International Representative for
Northern California in 1984.  Abba played a central role in
the ILWU's participation in the formation of the Asian
Pacific American Labor Alliance. He is always 'on the clock'
as an organizer, spreading the word about the benefits of
unionization and ILWU membership to the unorganized.

"Throughout his life Abba has been actively involved in the
fight for justice in the Filipino community, the Philippines,
and in every community in which he lived and worked.  He has
repeatedly shared his experience and knowledge about the
labor movement, international solidarity and community
activism with young people in schools, writers and
historians."

Abba was preceded in death by his wife, Kimiyo Ramos. He is
survived by his children: Renee Yamagishi of Berkeley, CA,
Ramona Ramos of Charlotte NC, Marcelino Ramos of Goodyear, AZ
and Anna McKenzie of Hercules, CA. Grandchildren: Antonio
Ramos, Irene Przywara, Joia DeVita, Brandon Ramos, Ariana
Frazier, Tania Przywara, Kaimana DeVita, Pekelo McKenzie,
Michio McKenzie and Angelino Ramos. Great Grandson: Antonio
Ramos Jr and many more close family members. Family and
friends are invited to attend a Memorial celebrating Abba's
life, to be held Tuesday, June 19, 2012, at 1:00 p.m. at the
ILWU Local 6 Hall, 99 Hegenberger Road (at Pardee), Oakland.

From Anna McKenzie, Abba's youngest daughter

[log in to unmask]

___________________________________________

Portside aims to provide material of interest to people
on the left that will help them to interpret the world
and to change it.

Submit via email: [log in to unmask]

Submit via the Web: http://portside.org/submittous3

Frequently asked questions: http://portside.org/faq

Sub/Unsub: http://portside.org/subscribe-and-unsubscribe

Search Portside archives: http://portside.org/archive

Contribute to Portside: https://portside.org/donate