Thomas A. Diekman

Thomas A. Diekman, age 85, a retired Union Representative from Monroe, Michigan passed away Wednesday, October 19, 2016, at 2:30 A.M. in Walton Wood 12 Oaks Nursing Center. Tom had been in poor health for several years. Tom was born September 22, 1931 in Monroe, MI the son of the late Gilbert J. and Lyda C. (Luypen) Diekman. Tom was a 1949 graduate of Monroe Catholic Central High School, which was the school's 2nd graduating class. Tom served his country honorably in the US Army during the Korean Conflict where he served as a Radar Repair Technician in the Signal Division Corps attached to an Air Force Unit in Spokane, WA. On May 8, 1954 Tom married the former Mary L. Beaudry at St. John The Baptist Catholic Church in Monroe, Tom's brother, Deacon Robert Diekman OSFS and Monsignor William Shaw pastor of the church officiated. They celebrated their golden wedding anniversary in 2004. Tom began working right out of the military as a manager for two Franklin Ice Cream Stores in Monroe. In 1955 Tom was hired by Michigan Bell as a lineman. He went on to become a Switching Equipment Technician for 20 years. During his time at Michigan Bell, Tom was elected president of the Communications Workers of America (CWA) Local 4013. In 1974 he accepted a staff position with CWA in the Detroit Metro area where he assisted with grievances, arbitration, contract negotiations and provided leadership with CWA across the state. Tom chaired the union committee in its final industry. When internal union problems arose it was said "Tom Diekman is the conscience of the union and his work is as good as legal tender". Tom spent one year in Ohio where a change in the private sector bargaining laws allowed him to negotiate several initial public sector agreements. Tom was then sent out east to represent AT&T workers from 11 different states. The Governor of Florida appointed Tom to be a labor representative on a joint committee to review and improve Florida's position on unemployment and workers compensation. Tom closed out his 20-year career in Central Florida as a union leader in the private and public sector. Over his prestigious career Tom chaired and served his union in a number of significant ways. Tom was selected to be a member of the Monroe County CIO council board. Tom also served on the committee to merge the AFL and the CIO into a single entity. He then served on the board of the newly formed AFL-CIO. Tom was politically active having been selected to a position on the former Democratic 2nd District Board where he assisted with political campaigns both at a local level and state level. Tom was active in the Monroe County United Fund and the Michigan United Way where he served on various committees and boards of both organizations. Tom served on the Monroe Port Commission, the City of Monroe Planning Commission and was a charter member of the Monroe Brownfield Board. Tom retired in 1994 and along with his wife Mary settled back in Monroe. He continued in public service until his diagnosis with Parkinson's Disease. Tom is survived by his beloved wife Mary, his loving children; Linda (Owen MacBride) Diekman of Wilmette, IL, and Mark (Marilyn) Diekman of Farmington Hills, MI, and 3 cherished grandchildren, Mary Elizabeth Laut, Katie Diekman, and Matthew Diekman. In addition to his parents Tom was preceded in death by 3 brothers: Gilbert B., Guy, and Fr. Robert (OSFS), and 2 sisters; Mary Stark and Ruth Diekman. Visitation will be held on Friday, October 21, from 1-3 PM in the Bacarella Funeral Home where funeral services celebrating his life will be held that day at 3 PM. Deacon Michael Stewart of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church will officiate. A private inurnment will be held at a later date. Memorial contributions may be given to the National Parkinson's Foundation.

Thomas A. Diekman

September 22, 1931 - October 19, 2016