I was driving back to Buffalo from Alumni Weekend Festivities at my Alma Mater – St. Bonaventure University in Olean, on Sunday, February 18th when my mobile phone rang.

It was William Mayer of Painters District 4, who had some very sad news.

He told me that our mutual friend, Terri Legierski, the Political Director for Communications Workers of America (CWA) Local 1133, had suddenly passed away.

I was floored as Bill shared with me what he knew and then was devastated as I began to comprehend this major loss for not only Local 1133, but for the entire Western New York Labor Movement.

Terri was more than well-known in Western New York Labor circles. 

You couldn’t miss her.

She always stood out, even though she was less than four-foot-10.

And she always wore red, the color of her Union. 

As Local 1133’s Political Director, there was literally no one she did not know.

Electeds called her by her first name and she was always surrounded by them.

But it was her forever-present smile that one CWA Official said literally would light up the room that so many of us in the Western New York Labor Movement will never forget.

His voice cracking with emotion, Mayer shared several lovely memories of Terri and revealed to me that she had been one of three major mentors in his Union Life, which included now-retired Painters Business Manager Dan Boody and Flo Tripi, the long-time leader of the Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) here in Western New York, who passed away several years ago.

“Terri ‘took over’ after Flo passed,” Bill (Pictured Below With Terri) said.  “She was ‘my mentor and she was a bigger than life influence on me.’  She ‘inspired’ me, ‘had faith in me when others didn’t and taught me to be humble.’  ‘She saw something in me that I didn’t know I had.’  She introduced me to so many people ‘to go further - together.’  ‘I literally have hundreds, if not thousands, of selfies of her and I’ (at so many events, including those taken on picket lines).  ‘I learned so much from her and took away what I did.’  And she had a ‘great big smile’ - ‘her absolute love and passion for Labor that I’ve never seen before, for everyone.’”

CWA Regional Director Deb Hayes told me she was “shocked” to learn of Terri’s passing, which happened suddenly after she was diagnosed with an advanced stage of pancreatic cancer.

“I have to say I was ‘completely shocked’ when I learned she was ill and had passed.  ‘It’s hard to get over as you reflect on the person and what she meant to the CWA,’” Hayes said.  “Terri ‘loved’ politics and she was such a ‘wonderful’ representative for the CWA.  She had an ‘incredible ability to build relationships’ with our Elected Officials and provided the CWA ‘with visibility.’  ‘All she had to do was make a call and (Elected Representatives) were there for us.’  She ‘is going to be missed - and not just for what she did.’  ‘The first thing I think of is her smile and cheerfulness.’  ‘She always greeted you with her big smile.’  ‘The passion she had kept her (doing the work she loved).’  She ‘always thanked’ (the CWA) for the opportunity (to do what she did).  ‘I don’t think Terri can ever be replaced.’”

CWA Local 1133 President Brian Magner, who’d known Terri (Pictured Above With New York State Governor Kathy Hochul & Painters District 4's William Mayer) for the past three years during which he served as the Local’s Secretary-Treasurer, said she was “someone who lit up the room.”

“She was such a ‘powerful’ person,” Magner said. “I can still hear her coming down the hall with that voice saying, ‘Hello Brian.’  She ‘always made you feel good and important.’”

In recent weeks, Magner said Terri had come to grips with her cancer and that she “had a plan” regarding her successor: “She ‘loved what she did, but she knew she wasn’t going to be here forever.’  ‘Now, it’s turning into a team effort when it comes to the political arena, but you just don’t replace a Terri Legierski.’”

Vannessa Quinn is a Chief Steward at Kenmore Mercy for Local 1133 and a long-time friend of Terri’s.  When Terri, who at the time was retired, agreed to become the Local’s Political Director back in 2009, Quinn and Terri found themselves attending rallies and walking picket lines - not just for their own Local or other CWA Locals, but for Union Locals across the area.

“She ‘made us look good,’” Quinn told me.  “She was a ‘compassionate person who did her job well.’  ‘She was also enthusiastic and very Union-oriented.’  ‘A lot of people don’t like’ politics, ‘but she was able to move (Local 1133 and the CWA).’  She got us to go to Albany and lobby for safe staffing and telecommunications ‘and you would see here everywhere’ - from the Labor Day Parade to the Pride Parade.”

Terri’s fellow CWAers underscored her worth to her Union as I spoke with them, sharing fond memories as we all try to understand why she has been taken from us with still so much to give.

Short in stature, but big in heart - Terri will be more than missed and for so many things.

She left such a positive mark in so many areas, too many in fact to individually list.

And those who have known her are so much better off.

It was also a tragic second punch to the gut in just several months’ time, coming after last Fall’s passing of beloved Ina Jovita Ferguson (Pictured Below With Terri) of 1199 Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Healthcare Workers East, who was a Union Sister and good friend of Terri’s.

Both played such an important role locally for Labor, which will have a tough time recovering from their loss.

The outpouring of love for Terri (Pictured Below With Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz) - and remembrances of Ina, that were shared by so many on several Social Media sites have been endless, as well as individual posts from an array of Electeds that Terri knew so well - many of which appear in this remembrance piece.

While I would encourage you to visit Terri’s Facebook Page at  https://www.facebook.com/terri.legierski to read them all, here’s a smattering:

Western New York AFL-CIO Area Labor Federation (WNYALF) President Peter DeJesus: “Thank you Terri for always being that spot of sunshine in an unforgiving world.  You were always present and ready to stand up when called upon.  You will be missed my Sister!  Rest in Power.”

Former WNYALF President Richard Lipsitz: “Terri was a completely positive life force.  She was a wonderful colleague and friend to thousands of us.  She spent all her time seeking the ways and means of improving the Labor Movement and she will be profoundly missed.”

Jennifer Mecozzi, Buffalo Schools West District Board Member: “As I have taken a step back from things for a bit, I became aware of the passing of THE petite powerhouse.  Terri, you never judged, you ALWAYS saw past the ugly to make sure the fight was genuine.  I could always count on you for advice in a world of personal agendas.  Thank You.  I feel covered knowing that you will be watching over us all in the heavens as we pursue for some damn good in this world.  Gut punch kinda hurt with this news.”

Ellicott District Council Woman Leah Halton-Pope: “She was a very bright light in an often dark world.  My heart aches. You will be missed.”

SAG-AFTRA Representative Louise Simon Schoene: “So many great memories with my friend and Sister.  She was one of the first members of the AFL-CIO to welcome me.  As soon as I saw the news of her passing I thought of my son, Gary - who I lost in November.  I imagine if there is any way he was there to greet her and welcome her to heaven with all her friends and loved ones. Rest in peace, Terri.”

For Town of Amherst Supervisor Susan Grelick: “Terri was one in a million, reminding us how one person can make a difference.  Her legacy will continue to inspire generations of Labor Activists to come.  Thank you for the positive changes you brought to the lives of countless Workers.”

CWA’s Lori Godwin-Marranca: “CWA’s Rock Star has left a little of herself in us to carry on the fight for Workers.  She was a friend and Sister to all of us in the CWA Family and the WNY Labor Community.  Through her hard work on the legislation/political team every local politician knew Terri and posted today about how they adored her.  I’ve never seen anything like it.  She was there for everyone with an eager smile and a big hug.  What a mentor and a friend she has been to me.  The last time I saw her I told her I would make her proud and that’s what I intend to do.  Our last text she said she missed her job and she missed me.  She did love her job and was so good at it.  The work won’t be as fun without her, but I will still get the pictures at every event as Terri taught me and you can see we have been to a lot of events together.”

Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1342 President Jeff Richardson: “One of the greatest Organized Labor Leaders in Western New York.  No matter what Local it was, she was there to help.  I'm going to miss my friend and a friend of ATU local 1342.  Every time we were together we said the tall and short of the Labor Movement.  Rest well!”

From the Coalition for Economic Justice: “We are heartbroken to learn of the passing of Terri Legierski, a steadfast advocate for Labor, supporter of CEJ and a genuinely lovely person.  Terri was a smiling face we could always count on seeing on the picket line or at events, giving hugs, talking about her grand kids, and checking in on folks, always while representing CWA red.  This is a major loss for WNY Labor and the community as a whole. RIP Terri.”

CWA Local 1168 President Cori Gambini: “My heart is broken, you will be missed by so many and I am confident your dear friend and powerful Labor Leader Ina Jovita Ferguson was there to greet you.  I’m sure she is teaching you how to stay involved to help us from the other side.  I’m sure your angel wings are bright red and you are flying high.  Thank you for always speaking words of strength and encouragement and you always brought a ray of light in our darkest times. You always made sure we got a CWA picture no matter where we were.  I always got to stand next to you because we were both vertically-challenged and of course always in front.  I love you and I will miss you so very much.  Please keep your spirit close and I will see you on the other side.  Love you girly girl.”

I also posted on Terri’s Facebook Page: “I am 'more than saddened to learn' of the passing of Terri Legierski, CWA Local 1133's Political Director - a long-time friend who was at nearly 'every' Labor gathering in the Buffalo area for the longest of times... Simply put, Terri was a 'Labor constant' - if there was a Labor meeting, she was there. If there was a picket, she was there.  If there was a political gathering, she was there.  The job she performed for her CWA Brothers and Sisters will 'never be forgotten, as are the results she fought so hard for when it came to all' Union-represented Workers.  She was 'small in stature, but this woman's heart was one of the largest I have ever witnessed.'  I never saw her angry - instead always with a smile on her face as she quickly headed toward you to say 'hello' and find out what YOU were doing.  I've been around this Western New York Labor Movement for quite some time and Terri will always be in the Top 5 when it comes to remembering what she's done for Working People.  You simply cannot replace anyone of her caliber and as so many say, "She will be greatly missed." God Bless you Terri - I'm better off having known you.”