Ernest Harris Love

Ernest Harris Love, age 94 of Toledo passed away Saturday, January 12, 2008 in St. Luke's Hospital. He was born September 17, 1913 to Thomas and Hannah (Harris) Love in Glouster, Ohio. Born before WWI, Ernie started his career in 1935. He was always aware of the lowly workers plight. Throughout his years as an active union member he championed the underdog, trying to improve their working conditions within the context of the union. He realized that without power there was no way. During the turbulent early times of the union movement and throughout his entire union years he could always be counted on to be at any meeting called by the leaders to thrash out their agendas for the welfare of the union members, sacrificing his own personal family life. Ernie was instrumental in leading a bitter struggle to move the Doehler workers out of the Mine-Mill & Smelters Union to affiliate with the U.A.W. In 1943, rising from a shop steward, Ernie was elected Chief Shop Steward, a fulltime job, and then some! From 1943-48, Ernie served as a Chief Shop Steward. He handled grievances and championed the rights of the workers by helping to negotiate contracts with management to establish seniority, premium pay to compensate any hours over 8/day and 40/week, holiday pay, cost of living, in particular pensions and all the other benefits of a union shop. Today they are accepted as if it were a gift from management of their own free will. In 1948 Ernie became an International Representative for the U.A.W. In 1950 he returned to the bargaining unit at Doehler's and was elected Chief Shop Steward. In 1953 Ernie was elected President of Local #1058 and served until 1958 and in 1969 was re-elected for a second term. Under his guidance and foresight the local built a fine union home on N. Detroit. According to the Administrative Assistant to Emil Mazey, it was the first and perhaps the only union hall built without an increase of dues, nor assessment to the members. Quite an accomplishment! Ernie, as a union leader had that unique quality of not displaying any signs of arrogance, in fact he exhibited a humble attitude in the discharge of his duties. His working knowledge of the many contracts between the union and the company was astounding. Ernie Love was truly a sincere, capable and fine leader of one local union of the U.A.W.

Ernie was also employed with the State of Ohio through the Transportation Department from 1973 until retiring in 1981.

In addition to his parents, Ernest was preceded in death by his wife, Emma J. Love; daughter, Suzanne (Love) Clark; brothers, William; Sanford "Tiny" and Tom Love; sister, Helen Ganson and sons-in-law, William Jensen and Thomas Clark, Jr. He is survived by his loving family, including his son, Ernest (Fran) Love of St. Petersburg, FL; Barbara (Joseph) Foltz; Carol Love; Patricia (Charles) Jensen Tailford and Mary (Thomas) Anthony; 19 grandchildren; 19 great grandchildren and 3 great-great grandchildren; sister, Margaret Niehaus; special friends, Debra (Rick) Cater and Melissa Cater.

The family will receive guests Thursday from 2-8:00 p.m. in the Newcomer Funeral Home, 4150 W. Laskey Rd. (419-473-0300) with a Rosary at 7:30 p.m. Funeral Services will begin Friday at 9:45 a.m. in the funeral home followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 a.m. at St. Clement Catholic Church, 3030 Tremainsville Rd. Officiating will be Fr. David Beck. Interment will be in Calvary Cemetery.

Memorial Contributions may be made to the NW Ohio Peace Coalition.