Page 6 - Retiree News Winter 2025

Longtime Central Region activist Sheila Sears
Roslyn Warlik, former Local 924 President
NEW YORK
MILLS — CSEA is
mourning the loss
of Shelia Sears, a
longtime Central
Region activist who
held numerous
leadership roles
throughout our
union. She passed away on Dec. 15, 2024, at age 74.
Sheila was a CSEA member for more than 40 years, working as a library assistant at SUNY College in Marcy and later at the Utica Law Library.
Known as “Miss CSEA” by other CSEA activists, Sheila served
in numerous leadership roles throughout our union during her career and remained active in our union as a retiree member.
Sheila served as president of the Utica State Employees Local before joining the Unified Court System in 1994. She later served as treasurer of the Region V Judiciary Local from 1994 to 2020.
On the region level, she held the positions of Central Region 2nd and 3rd Vice President, and chair of the region’s Education Committee. On
the statewide level, Sheila served as a CSEA delegate, AFSCME delegate and chaired CSEA’s statewide Education Committee, as well as the Judicial Board. She also served as
a delegate to the Central New York Labor Council.
In early 2021, Sheila retired from her career but remained involved
in our union through membership in the Oneida-Madison-Herkimer Tri-County Retirees Local 914. She served as a Sergeant-At-Arms during the 2022 Retiree Delegates Meeting.
According to her obituary, Sheila’s close friends included former Central Region President and current St. Lawrence County Retirees Local 923 President Colleen Wheaton and former Region V Judiciary Local President Donald Lynskey, who is now also a Local 914 activist.
In her free time, Sheila enjoyed traveling, including trips to Ireland and the casino.
Sheila is survived by her son; two brothers and a sister; nieces and nephews and many friends. Services were held on Dec. 28, 2024.
— Nicholas Newcomb
CSEA is mourning the loss of Schenectady Area
Retirees Local 924 President Roslyn Warlik, who passed away on Oct. 27, 2024. She was 82.
Born and raised
in Schenectady, Roslyn worked for the state Department of Transportation. She later worked for Schenectady County’s Senior and Long Term Care Services Department.
Roslyn served as 1st Vice President of Schenectady Area Retirees Local 924 from 2017 to 2019, and became President of
Local 924 in 2019 until her passing. Along with other local officers and members, Roslyn was active in leading efforts to help community members in need, including coordinating efforts to help local veterans and helping lead efforts to donate socks to the community organization Things of My Very Own.
Aside from her union service, Roslyn was involved in other community service efforts, including serving as president of the High Bridge Civic Association. She was also involved in local politics.
She is survived by two son and three grandchildren. Services were held on November 4.
Nolia Brooks, Local 912 treasurer
WATERTOWN — Our union is mourning the loss of former Jefferson- Lewis Counties Retirees Local 915 Executive Vice President James
E. Humphrey, who
passed away Oct. 22, 2024. He was 77.
Born in Watertown, James was
a Naval Reservist before working for the state Department of Transportation. While employed, he was a member of our union’s Black
River Valley State Employees Local. James retired in 2002 and joined
Local 915. He served as the local’s Executive Vice President from 2007 to 2009.
He was also a member of the Emmanuel Congregational Church in Watertown, Fraternal Order of Eagles, American Legion, and a life member of the Elks.
He is survived by a son, three daughters, siblings, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, a stepson; a stepdaughter and several other relatives. Services were held on Nov. 16, 2024.
ROCHESTER —
Our union is mourning the loss of Nolia Brooks, longtime treasurer of Rochester Area Retirees Local 912. She passed away Sept. 8, 2024, at age 81.
Nolia had worked at the state
Department of Law and served as treasurer of the Rochester State Employees Local from 1995 to 2003.
After retiring, Nolia served as the Local 912 treasurer from 2013 until her passing.
She leaves behind two daughters, a sister and many other relatives, church family and friends. Services were held Sept. 14, 2024.
Joyce Joseph, former Local 914 secretary
James Humphrey, former Local 915 Executive Vice President
CLARK MILLS —
CSEA is mourning
the loss of Joyce
Joseph, former
recording secretary
of Oneida-Madison- Herkimer Tri County Retirees Local 914.
She passed away on
May 24, 2024. She was 81.
Born in Boonville, Joyce worked at Mohawk Valley Psychiatric Center until retiring.
Joyce served as recording secretary of Oneida-Madison- Herkimer Tri County Retirees Local 91 from 2005 to 2021. According to her obituary, Joyce built strong,
longtime friend through her union activism.
Joyce’s obituary also noted
that she was generous and loving and volunteered to help those in need. She was a member of the Leatherstocking Art Club. Joyce loved all animals, especially her cats and dogs. She enjoyed knitting and loved to cook Lebanese food and cheesecakes for family and friends.
She is survived by her
husband; her daughter and son- in-law; her son; a bonus daughter; grandchildren; great-grandchildren; siblings and extended relatives. Services were held May 31, 2024.
Upcoming Events
Local 918 Rockland March 12
Membership Meeting, noon, Lynch’s on the Green (200 Thiells/Mt. Ivy Road). Please contact President Ron Wilson (845) 406- 3724 before February 24 if you would like to attend. We are also collecting for “People to People.” Please bring a non-perishable food item if you will be attending.
Local 924 Schenectady April 25 Spring Breakfast Meeting, 10 a.m., Glenville Queen Diner. Future tentative meeting dates are July 11, Oct. 3 and Dec. 5. For more details, watch your mail for flyer.
6
CSEA RETIREE NEWS