Masonry Magazine October 1973 Page. 13
Stephen D. Raimo, one of the Industry's most dedicated and respected leaders, died on October 2 on Long Island, New York. He was 73.
Mr. Raimo was President of Ray Contracting Company, Inc. of Syosset, a firm recognized throughout the East as masonry specialists in school and church construction. His organization enjoys a widespread reputation of producing outstanding works featuring intricate masonry design.
Mr. Raimo was elected President of MCAA at the Annual Convention in Cincinnati in 1960, and was recipient of this Association's highest honor the Lead Man Award.
A pioneering member of MCAA, he literally traveled thousands of miles throughout the country representing MCAA at various industry activities. He was continually involved in spearheading the promotion of masonry as well as the mason contractor.
Mr. Raimo was one of MCAA's staunchest supporters and most dedicated workers. Besides serving as President, he continued to serve as chairman and member of many of its important committees. Throughout the years, there was rarely an MCAA function he failed to attend, regardless of the location.
He also was Vice President of MCAA's New York City chapter, the Associated Brick Mason Contractors of Greater New York.
Mr. Raimo is survived by his wife, Ada; his mother, Mrs. Sarafina Raimo; a daughter, Dorothy, and a son, Anthony.
MCAA has lost one of its hardest working and most faithful members whose knowledge and valuable contributions to the Industry were unsurpassed. He will be greatly missed by his countless friends and associates.
STEPHEN D. RAIMO
GEORGE FERGUSON
George Ferguson, administrator of the Bricklayers & Trowel Trades International Pension Fund, suffered a fatal heart attack on September 21 in Hollywood, Fla.
Mr. Ferguson, 47, died just after making a speech before the Florida State Conference convention of the Bricklayers, Masons & Plasterers International Union (BM&PIU).
He was named to his present position as administrator of the newly formed fund, covering bricklayers throughout the United States and Canada, last March, after serving 15 years as financial, recording and corresponding secretary of BM&PIU Local 2, Detroit. He also served as trustee and secretary-treasurer of the Detroit & Vicinity Construction Workers Insurance Fund.
Thomas F. Murphy, president of the BM&PIU, said Mr. Ferguson's death was a tragic loss for his family, the union and the pension fund. "Our members understood George Ferguson and he understood them," Murphy said.
He graduated in 1958 from Wayne State University in Detroit with a bachelor's degree in economics and labor relations.
Survivors include his wife, Beverly, and two sons, George, Jr. and John.
WALTER A. STAACK
Walter A. Staack, President, V.S. Wallgren Co., one of Chicago's leading mason contracting firms, died October 10 while attending his mother's funeral in Germany.
Mr. Staack joined the Wallgren firm in 1951 as a bricklayer. He progressed to foreman, superintendent, estimator, Vice President, and finally became President of the company.
He was a member of MCAA's Safety Committee and was serving as Vice President of the Mason Contractors Association of Greater Chicago.
Mr. Staack, 52, was born in Germany, received his education and served as a bricklayer there. He attended the famous Bauschule in Hamburg and graduated as a civil engineer.
He is survived by his wife, Anna Marie, and a son, Walter Jr. He was a resident of Lincolnwood, III.