IFPTE Mourns the Loss of Local 195 Trustee, Sister Sherry Thomas
Washington, D.C. – IFPTE is sad to report the passing of longtime IFPTE Local 195 leader and activist, Sherry Thomas. Sister Sherry Thomas was a Local 195 Trustee and President of the New Jersey City University Chapter. She was also a trusted and valuable advisor to the late Local 195 President Tim Rudolph and current Local 195 President Deborah Spencer.
Sister Thomas will be laid to rest on Monday, October 30. See the details for her homegoing service here.
IFPTE Local 195 President Spencer commented: “Sherry’s presence and personality lit up every room she entered… Her light will truly be missed.”
IFPTE President Matt Biggs, who worked closely with Sister Thomas for many years, said the following:
“Sherry Thomas was an IFPTE icon who became an integral leader not only in Local 195, but also in the IFPTE Federation overall. Sherry was never hesitant to walk the line in Solidarity with workers fighting for economic justice and is a person of such generosity that she would give anyone the shirt off her back. We will miss her dearly.”
IFPTE Secretary-Treasurer Gay Henson, commented:
“Sherry Thomas was a great personal friend of mine, and as strong a Union Sister in IFPTE and in our labor movement as there is. Sherry was of such importance to IFPTE that she was one of five IFPTE delegates to represent IFPTE at the AFL-CIO convention in Philadelphia in June of 2022. She was an extraordinary person and union member and IFPTE extends our deepest condolences to Local 195 and to her family and friends.” Sherry passed away on October 19th after a longtime battle with an illness.
