A tribute to Eldon

Labrador City lost a longtime resident March 19 after an industrial accident at the IOC mine site.

On the afternoon of March 18 (Thursday) Eldon Perry fell an estimated 24 feet from a lift he was working on. He passed away at the Captain William Jackman Memorial Hospital early Friday morning.

George Kean, president of the United Steelworkers (USW) Local 5795 says the 56-year-old with over 38 years of service in the mines of IOC will be greatly missed by the many people who knew and respected him.

"He was a devoted family man to his wife Edna and their children Stephen and Linette," Kean said of Perry. "And he has a little granddaughter Aleya, and she was just the pride of his life. But along with being a good family man, Eldon was a man who cared about his community as well and over the years he contributed his fair share."

From minor hockey, soccer to broomball, he had a keen interest in sports, according to Kean, who says he has much admiration for the great job he did coaching minor hockey.

"Eldon bestowed in these players respect," Kean said. "He encouraged them to play hard to get the skills to win, but he always told them the most important thing was to enjoy the game and respect each other."

The adventurous outdoor lifestyle Labrador offered was not lost on Eldon either, he explained. When it came to snowmobiling, hunting, fishing and spending time with his family at their cabin, Eldon loved the great outdoor life and took many opportunities to enjoy it.

Eldon moved to Labrador West from Little Burnt Bay (near Lewisporte) 38 years ago, and his attachment to the Big Land (where he spent the greater part of his life) grew strong over the years.

"He loved Labrador," said Kean. "As a matter of fact he had told his family that when he died, he wanted Harry Martin's song This is My Home played at his funeral. And it was played."

According to the USW president, Eldon was well respected for his worth ethic and his workmanship, and the longtime welder had plenty of opportunity to work with countless people in his long tenure with the mining company. Throughout his years on the project, Kean added, Eldon provided a lot of mentoring for new welders just starting off.

"Supervisors would look to have him as part of their crew because he had such a good name for his work and he was very safety conscious," said Kean. "He also had a very good attitude, always had a smile and whenever there was tensions around the lunchroom (for example) you could leave it to Eldon to throw in a dry joke and get everyone laughing. He was a great individual for sure and he had the respect of everyone around him."

Kean travelled out to Lewisporte last week to attend the funeral of his union brother and says the incredible turnout for the service was a testament to the type of man Eldon was.

"There was so many of his family, relatives, friends and co-workers who came to the Pentecostal Church, that 30 minutes before the service, the church was filled to capacity," he said. "The place was just overflowing with people."

Kean said he was very pleased with how IOC came onboard for the family. The Company sent three chartered flights for co-workers and managers-including Zoe Yujnovich, IOC's president and Mine Manager Tayfun Eldem-to attend the funeral service and offer condolences and support to the family.

Eldon's tragic death has left a great void not only within IOC and the USW but also in the community where he and his family have established great friendships; his death has shaken many.

"Tragic deaths like this, thank God, have not happened often here," said Kean. "But when it does happen, like last week with Eldon, it sends a shockwave throughout the entire workforce and to the whole community. He was a wonderful man, a good friend, and he will be missed."