Arrangements for CTA Harold Richardson, 47

Co-workers were stunned by the passing early Monday morning of CTA Section Vice Chair and Shop Steward Harold Richardson, a 15-year transit veteran who suffered a stroke in March. He was being cared for at hospice and had been in a coma for some time. CTA Division Vice Chair Antonio Roldan, Jr., who knew him well, said: “What he brought to his co-workers is immeasurable. He was a great person and a caring friend. He gave 100% in this union and to our department. He always spoke his mind no matter what.”

Stations VP Derrick Echevarria said “he was a hard worker and he will be greatly missed. He cared deeply about his union and the people he worked with.”

Local 100 Director of Education Nick Bedell, who guided him through Shop Steward training, recalled that “when Harold spoke up you couldn’t miss his deep baritone. I remember his flowing dreads and the multitudes of buttons next to his transit pass. He was an active Steward who was very good at motivating others to join the union cause.”

Brother Richardson leaves his daughter, Cassandra, 14 (pictured), and his wife, Michelle, also a CTA.

The arrangements are as follows:There will be a viewing on Wednesday, July 20, from 10:00 A.M. to 11:00 A.M. at the Frank R. Bell Funeral Home, Inc.  at 536 Sterling Place (Corner of Classon Avenue, Brooklyn (11238). The funeral will follow at Rosedale Memorial Park, at 355 East Linden Avenue in Linden, New Jersey.