Union leaders and members, elected officials and others gathered on Oct. 16 to wish Wayne Miller a happy retirement.
Miller spent 52 years with Sprinkler Fitters Local 692, including nine years as a business agent and the last 26 years as business manager.
“It’s time for me to go,” he said during his speech.
The all-day celebration took place at the union hall on McNulty Road, and included a performance by LeCompt.
At about 5 p.m., there was a formal program in the ballroom. A video featured comments from a variety of people and showed old photos of Miller, accompanied by oldies music.
U.S. Rep. Brendan Boyle gave Miller a statement he read into the Congressional Record about the retiring union leader and an American flag that was flown at the Capitol in his honor.
Miller received a citation from City Councilmembers Mike Driscoll, Anthony Phillips, Quetcy Lozada, Katherine Gilmore Richardson, Nina Ahmad, Rue Landau, Cindy Bass and Jay Young.
Miller also received a citation from state Reps. Ed Neilson, Martina White, Sean Dougherty, Pat Gallagher, Joe Hohenstein, Darisha Parker and Andre Carroll.
Other elected officials on hand included state Sens. Tina Tartaglione, Joe Picozzi, Sharif Street, John Kane and Nick Miller; city elections commissioner Lisa Deeley; and Register of Wills John Sabatina.
Business managers of Sprinkler Fitters unions from across the country were in attendance, and joined Miller for dinner a night earlier at Macaroni’s.
Others in the crowd included Municipal Court Judge Fran Shields (a former sprinklerfitter), Steamfitters Local 420 business manager Jim Snell, former Philadelphia AFL-CIO president Pat Eiding, former City Controller Alan Butkovitz and former Councilman Dan Savage.
A standing-room-only crowd, everyone from first-year apprentices to retirees, listened to speeches by Local 692 business agent Ray Marini (who is replacing Miller as business manager), organizer Charlie Walker and Faye Schilling, Miller’s daughter.
“What a life lived and a career had,” Schilling said of her dad.
Miller was also joined by son-in-law Bill Schilling and 13-year-old grandson Mack. His other grandson, 20-year-old Gus, is in the Merchant Marine Academy.
In his speech, Miller said one of Local 692’s proudest achievements was passing a law requiring sprinklers in college dormitories in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. He gave credit to former state Rep. Mike McGeehan for leading the effort in the Pennsylvania legislature.
Miller said he is also proud that Local 692 preserved benefits and pension payments and kept members working during the economic downturn in 2008. He thanked active members for agreeing to a higher withdrawal in their paychecks to make that happen.
Miller also pointed to Local 692 adding two new buildings, with plans to expand the training center.
Miller, 74, told the members that Marini will be an excellent successor.
“You’ll be in great hands with Ray,” he said. “He’s a workaholic. Ray will take the ball over the finish line.”
Miller grew up and lived for many years in Juniata. He attended North Catholic and graduated from Frankford (class of 1971), though he later was given a diploma from North for his support of the school.
After graduating high school, he spent three years as a bricklayer and truck driver before joining Local 692 in 1974.
Miller was grateful for the turnout at the union hall, saying he’d rather members come in their work clothes rather than a fancy party in Center City.
“I’m a sprinklerfitter. I will die a sprinklerfitter. We’re nothing more than sprinklerfitters, but that’s something big,” he said.
Going forward, Miller, of Somerton, will spend time golfing, staying in shape at LA Fitness, spending time with his grandchildren and being dragged to Father Judge basketball games by Walker, 692’s organizer. He’ll also stay involved with the All Star Labor Classic, which has raised around $4 million for various charities over the years.
At the end of his remarks, Miller apologized if he ever offended anyone.
“If I did OK, I hope you’re happy,” he said, as the DJ played The Best, by Tina Turner. ••
