In Loving Memory of Joe Cunningham
A Brother, A Builder, A Proud Union Man — Gone Too Soon

Joe Cunningham, a respected member of Laborers Local 310, tragically lost his life in a devastating accident this morning while working at the Sherwin-Williams project. There are no words powerful enough to fully express the pain, shock, and sorrow that ripples through all of us in this moment.

Joe wasn’t just a laborer—he was a cornerstone of the job site, a proud union brother, and a man who believed in the dignity of hard work. He was the kind of person who showed up every day—rain or shine—with steel in his spine and pride in his heart. He gave everything he had to the work, to his union family, and to the city he helped build, one brick and beam at a time.

In the trades, we often say that we build more than structures—we build legacies. And Joe’s legacy is one of dedication, reliability, and quiet strength. He worked side by side with his brothers and sisters, never seeking the spotlight, always putting the job and the team first. To know Joe was to know someone who led by example, who lifted others up, and who believed in the values that hold our union—and our communities—together.

This morning’s tragedy is a brutal reminder of the dangers we face as laborers. We go to work to provide, to build, to contribute. We expect to return home. But today, Joe didn’t. One moment, he was doing what he loved—what he did so well—and the next, he was gone. No family should ever receive that call. No crew should ever have to witness that kind of loss. And no worker should ever pay the ultimate price just for doing their job.

To Joe’s family, we send our deepest condolences. We grieve with you. We hurt with you. And we stand ready to support you however we can. You are not alone. To the members of Local 310, we wrap you in solidarity and sorrow. This loss is felt by every one of us who’s ever laced up their boots and taken pride in a day’s hard work.

“He was more than a worker—he was a brother, a friend, and a symbol of everything we fight to protect in this industry.”

Joe will be remembered not only for the way he left this world, but for the powerful way he lived in it. For his pride in his craft. For his loyalty to his union. For the handshakes, the early mornings, the long days, and the respect he showed everyone around him.

Rest in peace, Joe Cunningham.
We will carry your name with us.
In our hearts.
On the job.
In the fight for safer workplaces.
And in the legacy you helped lay, one concrete pour, one steel beam, one union brotherhood at a time.

You built more than a building.