John Bligh
- Union founder
- Former union vice president
George Altomare, a founder of the UFT who led with insight, devotion and a great deal of heart, died on Aug. 20, at age 92 after a long illness. He loved teaching and dedicated his life to improving public school education for New York City students and educators through the power of unionism.
“He was our historian, our elder statesman and our union troubadour,” said UFT President Michael Mulgrew. “At union meetings over the decades, we could count on George to pull out his guitar and lead us in singing ‘Solidarity Forever.’”
George began his teaching career in 1953 as a social studies teacher at Astoria JHS. Frustrated by the poor pay and abysmal working conditions at the school, George and his school colleague Albert Shanker invited the Teachers Guild to meet with the educators.
It was a challenge to organize teachers, since many thought of themselves as professionals and felt that “labor was beneath their dignity,” said retired member John Soldini, the former UFT vice president for academic high schools.
George, as a secondary school teacher, was able to recruit high school teachers, who were better paid at that time, into the elementary school-dominated Teachers Guild, to create the UFT in 1960.
“His ability to get people to work with each other, for each other and in order to gain the same goals was great. His energy was great, too — he devoted all his after-school time to this,” said former union treasurer Mel Aaronson, also a UFT founder. “Without George, there would be no UFT.”
George held both advisory and elected positions for the union over the decades. He created and led the UFT Strike Committee and Organizing Network, which led to successful strikes in the 1960s and ‘70s. He served as the union’s vice president for high schools for 25 years, and he helped negotiate DOE-UFT contracts through 1985.
George organized the borough representative, district representative and chapter leader system the UFT uses today, Aaronson said. He was “meticulous” in his organizing, using a Delaney card system to record information for every school, Aaronson recalled.
George also worked extensively to support other unions. In the 1960s, he went to jail for civil disobedience with United Farm Workers leaders César Chavez and Dolores Huerta after a union protest.
“George was there in the beginning and was active up until the very end, so this union is forever in his debt,” said UFT Secretary LeRoy Barr. “He not only connected union activists to the UFT but to the union movement.”
George helped found the UFT Retired Teachers Chapter and served for many years as the chapter’s secretary.
George also helped create the union’s professional committees, which he led until 2019. If there was a committee a member wanted to start, he was encouraging and would show up to all meetings in support, said Roberta Eisenberg, the chairperson of the Math Teachers Committee. “George was always about service to our members,” she said.
Mario Asaro, the chair of the New York City Art Teachers Association/UFT said his own activism and dedication to the UFT was directly related to George. “George was a mentor, leader and friend,” he said.
Liza Miller Davis was one of George’s students at Stuyvesant HS, where George last taught. “His enthusiasm and love of all people made him a great teacher,” she said.
Peter Yarrow, of the folk group Peter, Paul and Mary, collaborated with George on a school anti-bullying initiative. “I loved working with George,” said Yarrow. “He was an intrepid organizer, a bright spark, and he had a huge and passionate heart for the good of people and the ethical education of students.”
In addition to his devotion to the UFT and the labor movement, George loved music and playing the guitar. Over the course of his teaching career, he worked at Astoria JHS, Franklin K. Lane HS and Stuyvesant HS, and he was an adjunct professor at SUNY Empire State College.
George is survived by his longtime partner, Vera Campbell.
The UFT is planning a memorial service for George this fall.
Contributions can be sent in George’s memory to these organizations:
Circa 1970, George Altomare was one of my teachers at Franklin K. Lane H.S. At a time of turbulence in the city and our city schools, Mr. Altomare always welcomed his students in a composed, unruffled manner. With his kind demeanor, you always knew he was on your side.
One day, a fellow student complained about having to write her full “heading” on every paper she was to hand in. Mr. Altomare said that he had a famous niece who was a celebrity and was always signing autographs. He asked her to pretend she was a celebrity while writing her name. At that point, I raised my hand to ask about the identity of his famous niece. When he announced it was Melanie, we didn’t believe him. He smiled, said it was true, and got us back on task.
Fast forward about 5 years later, my friends and I attended a Melanie performance in Central Park during the Shaffer Music Festival. As we left the concert I noticed a crowd gathering at a side door around a black limo with a chauffeur waiting. I convinced my friends to join them as we might get a closer glimpse of Melanie. After a long time, I saw Mr. Altomare come out of the stage door trying to make his way through the crowd. From the other end, I excitedly pushed my way close to him and shouted: “Hey, Mr. Altomare! You weren’t kidding, Melanie is really your niece!” He looked at me as if I were an insane lunatic as he attempted to protect his company in their effort to leave.
Fast forward again twenty years later… I had long been a NYC teacher in The Bronx and went down to 260 Park Avenue South to audition for a UFT Talent Show. While talking with the director and other auditioning hopefuls, George Altomare walks in carrying his guitar! Enthusiastically, but more composed this time, I approached him and recounted the stories above.
It was a great pleasure for me to talk with him for a few hours that afternoon about everything related to education, our union, and the current state of NYC. Out of respect, I kept calling him Mister Altomare despite him asking me to call him George.
He was an activist, teacher, musician, and organizer, but most importantly, Mr. Altomare was a good guy. I was fortunate to have had these encounters with him.
Mr. Altamore was my teacher at Franklin K. Lane H.S. in 1958. I never forgot him because he instilled in us a desire to keep abreast with current events by offering extra credit to those that could relay what was going on in the world every morning. May this kind, caring, individual rest in peace.
George was an incredible man and union organizer. I would always try to chat with him after a meeting, and find out what it was like in the 1960s when our union was founded. He was a deep well of historical knowledge, and was a very passionate unionist. I cherished every small moment that I was fortunate enough to share with such a monumental man to this the UFT’s history. If you were walking around after a Delegate Assembly, looking at the union artifacts on the wall, George would give an anecdote about anything up on the wall. His stories were vivid and inspiring. I hope to be able to live up to be half the unionist George Altomare was. We lost a truly great man, unionist, and mentor. #solidarity4ever
George was a wonderful human being-smart, funny and without pretension. It was an honor to have known him.
My condolences to his family.
A Life Richly Lived
Now George’s work on earth is done – Good work to which we all attest,
Then its time for George to go to rest,
Satisfied that you have done “better than best”.
Rest in Peace, George!
My condolenses to:
Vera, whose love shone like sunlight through her care for and devotion to him .
Gregg Lundahl who offered friendship and tremendous support during George’s illness.
You are examples of “Grace on Earth”.
Many thanks with much love Winsome for your kind and loving comment on George Altomare. He had a non intimidating but challenging personality which is why he was an excellent mentor to many. George was the most lovable and loving person on God’s earth. Meet you on the picket line George
I had the opportunity to work with Mr. Altomare as President of the ATSS. Walking into his office was like walking into a museum of history. George has worked with with many of the giants of both the civil rights and labor movements. He spent his life dedicated to the cause of labor. George, your speaking and singing voice will be missed by so many people. I will miss you dearly. Solidarity Forever
My deepest condolences to Mr. Altomare’s family and close friends. He will be missed! Sleep in Peace Mr. Altomare
George was special. As a teacher, trade unionist, mentor to many, beloved by his students and his colleagues, he represented what is best in the teacher union movement. An inspiration to us all. He will be missed.
(NOTE: I recounted this story at one of the last times we held meetings that George and I attended before we closed and George laughed and laughed. It is a good way to remember him. It also speakers for his Passion for Labor History)
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GEORGE ALTOMARE AND TEACHING LABOR HISTORY
I worked with George Altomare as Chair and later Executive Secretary of the UFT Social Studies Committee, Association of Teachers of Social Studies / United Federation of Teachers (ATSS/UFT), and Chair of the UFT Capably Disabled Committee. George was my Liaison. I have known him for more than 45 wonderful years.
George was always on top of things, both large and small, from major projects such organizing the first strike that resulted in the recognition of our Union, to the smallest personal thing brought to his attention. Let me share one of these personal actions.
I was teaching economics in a New York City High School. I needed a quick settlement of a problem I had with my principal about teaching about labor unions.
I had obtained 2 books from “Guns and Roses,” another union’s publication, with painting reproductions and poems on labor history, both on front and back pages. I split out the pages and mounted them on my classroom walls as decoration. I was happy to present to my students the importance of this material.
And I encountered a “teacher’s dream” where students recognize that what we do in class relates to their own lives. Immediately some students whispered something to each other and then one student acted as spokesperson saying “ We have a poster of the Puerto Rican rock music group Menudo. They are members of a labor Union. They are members of ASCAP. Can we put up their poster on the wall also?” I was delighted and said “Yes.” The students quickly rigged up a temporary ladder of my desk and a chair and used my tape to affix the poster on the front wall high above the chalkboard.
Later my principal passed by in the hallway, looked into the window of my classroom door and saw the poster on the front wall of my classroom. I was called into his office and he presented me with a letter for my file saying that I had decorated my room inappropriately with a rock music group.
I did not want to remove the poster or handle this with a long procedure, so I went straight to George with a phone call. He called my principal and gave him a lesson on his great, great Passion, Labor History.
Success! The principal removed the letter from my file and apologized.
My sincere condolences on the passing of George Altomare, beloved teacher, devoted union activist, gentleman and a scholar. George was my social studies teacher at Lane HS and I assisted him with some class clerical duties so he was freed up to conduct some union activities. He was a master teacher, great union mentor and friend. I shall miss him!
I remember George Altomare visiting our meetings and helping us form the teachers of Greek heritage, just as he did for teachers of Italian and other backgrounds. He and Albert Shanker once taught at the school where I would someday teach — Intermediate School 126Q, also known as the Albert Shanker Intermediate School. I remember George as a wonderful, caring person who wanted the best for students and their teachers. May he rest in peace — a job well done.
In 1981 When I accepted the honor of being President of the New York City Art Teachers Association/UFT, I knew little about the organizational structure of the UFT.
George was my mentor throughout the 38 years I held the position as President of the New York City Art Teachers Association/UFT. He supported my ideas and many times he and I expanded either his idea and/or my idea. He was a lover and appreciator of all the arts.
He shared with me his vision of what teachers together could accomplish; his wisdom and leadership knowledge; and his respect and appreciation for the work of volunteers. Together we implemented many activities that both met the professional needs of art educators as artists and advocated for art education within the field and with other disciplines.
His work ethic and encouraging spirit will continue to guide me.
Joan L. Davidson, President Emerita, NYCATA/UFT
I so enjoyed talking to George about everything.
But when you came to the Union’s formation he shared background details that enriched the stories.
His ability to recreat an environment surrounding and movatting the actions, the adjustments our leaders had to spontaneously react to, were exciting to hear. I am proud to have know him and better educated for it.
He was a great teacher
I am crushed! My DEEPEST HEARTFELT CONDOLENCES TO THE FAMILY MEMBERS AND MY FELLOW UFTers. “Uncle George” will always be remembered for his smile, level headedness, fairness of mind, and guitar playing and singing. May he rest in peace yet let us hear him singing from above. A true gem of an individual will be very sorely missed.
There is an expression in Italian “in alto mare” which means “on the high seas”; Giorgio, who loved to sail especially in and around Cape Cod, is now sailing on the eternal high seas.
A coward dies a thousand deaths…a hero dies but once…
I come from a line of city employees…beginning with my dad, sanitation, and uncles, transit….why must we fight for mere recognition as equal among many. We fight for ourselves and for those who are unable to fight…for equality ..to be respected as equal among others…and for parity. We honor Mr. Altomare’s zeal, fortitude, steadfastness, he made us better. Mille grazie
How unfortunate!…Truly ‘a profound loss.’ May Mr. G. Altamore Rest In Peace……Valentino.
My most sincere condolences to all family members and friends! may he Sleeps in Peace.