LiUNA Pension Fund Administrator Laid to Rest

Monday, December 20, 2010

Washington D.C - LiUNA Pension Fund Administrator Mark W. Speakes was laid to rest last Thursday in Northern Virginia. Mark passed away on December 9, 2010 after a courages five-year battle with cancer.
“Mark was a dedicated father, a committed husband, and he was always a true credit to the trade union movement and every LIUNA member”, said LIUNA General President Terry O’Sullivan.
Mark joined LIUNA in 1988. He served as Benefits Specialist and Assistant Fund Administrator. He guided LIUNA’s Industrial Pension plans and oversaw the merger of LIUNA’s staff and affiliates plans.
In 2005, Mark was diagnosed with cancer. For the next five years he defied expert prognosis and odds, continuing to work and providing an ever upbeat attitude which inspired everyone around him.
“Mark was a good man. He never hesitated to visit Local 792 every time I called upon him”, said Chris Darker, Local 792 Business Manager. “He had a positive attitude all the time even in the midst of the recent economic challenges in pension funding and his cancer. I will miss him”, said Darker. Mark last visited UPEC Local’s in 2008.
Mark, only 45 years old, leaves behind his wife Tammy, and three children, Chelsey, Joshua and Jordan. Mark is also survived by five siblings and all his many loving friends and colleagues.