Raymond Sierra, Long Serving International ILA Vice President from the Great Lakes, Passes Away June 28th, 2024, in Portage, Indiana; Remembered As “Fierce Fighter for ILA Longshore Workers” ; Services This Friday, July 5th
NORTH BERGEN, NJ – (July 1, 2024) Raymond Sierra, a champion for decades for ILA workers at ports along the Great Lakes and an International ILA Vice President, passed away on Friday, June 28, 2024, in Portage, Indiana. He was 84.
“The ILA has lost one of its fiercest fighters for ILA members,” said International President Harold J. Daggett. “He spent most of his remarkable ILA career speaking up for and defending ILA members. His accomplishments were great, and his memory will endure.”
Raymond Sierra was born of January 1, 1940, in Gary, Indiana to the late Benerando and Mary Sierra. He would begin his ILA career at a young age and was tutored by ILA Great Lakes legends Buster Slaughter, Chauncey Baker, Harrison Tyler and Patrick Sullivan, to name a few. He was Executive Vice President of Local 1317 in Cleveland, Ohio; President Emeritus of ILA Local 1969 in Portage, Indiana and the original organizer for ILA Local 2038.
Raymond Sierra is survived by his wife, Margaret Sierra of Portage, Indiana; five children, Barbara (James) Rewis-Reardean of Waycross, GA; Debra (Kevin) Harte of Gettysburg, PA; Raymond (Leigh) Sierra of Portage, IN; Tom (Megan) Olson of Valparaiso, IN; Dan (Alicia) Olson of LaPorte, IN; nineteen grandchildren, six great-grandchildren, and a host of extended family members.
Raymond was a member of First Baptist Church of New Chicago. Funeral Services are Saturday, July 6, 2024, at 10 am at First Baptist Church of New Chicago, 401 Huber Boulevard, New Chicago, Indiana. Pastor Jerry Stepp will officiate the service. Burial will follow at Calvary Cemetery in Portage.
Visitation is Friday, July 5, 2024, from 2 pm to 8 pm at Rees Funeral Home, 5341 Central Avenue, Portage, Indiana