Page 9 - Work Force November 2025

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Donohue, Boncoraglio memorialized Donohue, Boncoraglio memorialized
at CSEA’s Annual Delegates Meeting at CSEA’s Annual Delegates Meeting
NIAGARA FALLS — During the 115th
Annual Delegates Meeting, CSEA
officers, attendees and invited
dignitaries all paid tribute to CSEA
and labor leaders who have passed,
including former CSEA President
Danny Donohue and former
Metropolitan Region President
George Boncoraglio.
Danny passed away on Aug. 10,
2025. He served an unprecedented
seven terms as CSEA President,
serving from 1994 until retiring in
2019.
“He believed
in the CSEA
membership,” said
CSEA President
Mary E. Sullivan,
who had served
as our union’s
Executive Vice
President during
Donohue’s tenure.
Sullivan
“He believed in
you. He believed in your courage
and your service and your integrity.
We need to follow and continue the
legacy of Danny Donohue.”
Attendees also heard a moving
tribute to Donohue from AFSCME
International President Lee
Saunders, who spoke about Danny’s
commitment to CSEA members.
“He had time
for everyone, and
he would talk
to anyone,” said
Saunders. “Danny
was a giant. He was
a leader within the
entire American
labor movement.
Saunders
We have got to
emulate everything
that Danny stood for. It is up to all
of us.”
New York State AFL-CIO
Secretary-Treasurer Terry Melvin,
who also serves as president of the
Coalition of Black Trade Unionists,
reminded the room of how humble
Donohue was.
“He used to
refer to himself as
a truck driver from
Brooklyn,” said
Melvin, who served
as an executive
assistant to Danny.
“I said, ‘No. You’re a
labor leader.’”
Gary Hickey,
Melvin
former president of
Pearl Insurance and a close personal
friend of Donohue, also offered
moving words of remembrance,
including echoing sentiments of all
the speakers.
“Our thoughts
and prayers go out
to Danny’s family
and loved ones
during this difficult
time,” said Hickey.
Tributes from
Gov. Kathy Hochul,
State Comptroller
Hickey
Tom DiNapoli and
New York State AFL-CIO President
Mario Cilento were also shared.
Attendees were invited to share
their own tributes and memories of
Danny over the years.
Also honored during the
ceremony was former Metropolitan
Region President George
Boncoraglio, who passed away on
July 17, 2025.
“George was scrappy,” said
Sullivan. “If someone attacked our
union members, he attacked them
right back. He was a fighter, and he
will be missed.”
The ceremony was closed with
a moving video and bagpipes. The
video and tributes can be viewed at
cseany.org/Danny.
— Mathew L. Cantore
Donohue Boncoraglio
Former CSEA Metropolitan Region
President George Boncoraglio is
remembered during CSEA’s Annual
Delegate Meeting.
Danny
Donohue
tribute
card
Above, Crowd shot during the tribute
November 2025 9 9
The Work Force