NEWS
On a rainy day outside the site of the new City Centre Library in Surrey, long-time DC38 member Gordon Fleming pulls four well-worn tool boxes from the back of his truck, with the help of a few friends.
The tools have been collected throughout his 36-year journey as a glazier, a career that has taken him to jobsites all over B.C., Los Angeles, Seattle, Portland, Phoenix, and Hawaii.
Fleming, who recently lost his leg to cancer and still battles the disease, is at the jobsite to pass along his tools to a young DC38 glazing apprentice.
"You can't pass along the skills, so I thought I would pass along my tools," Fleming says.
Giving his tools to an apprentice is a meaningful way to mark the end of his days on the tools, since he's has always been supportive of apprentices, says Patrick Byrne, DC38 Business Manager/Secretary-Treasurer.
"Gord liked working with apprentices and liked sharing his experience with them, not just about glazing but about life as Gord saw it," says Byrne. "Gord always had a story to go along with every lesson he gave you."
Allowing apprentices the space and support to learn was one of Fleming's many contributions to a jobsite, says Marv Magnison, DC38 Business Representative for Glaziers' Union Local 1527.
"It takes a certain type of tradesperson to be able to explain and demonstrate the process of glazing, have the patience to let an apprentice learn, and still get the work done," Magnison says. "And now, to give his tools to the next generation of glaziers shows just the kind of supportive character he has."
Byrne, who worked with Fleming as an apprentice and a journeyperson, has appreciated the opportunity to get to know him throughout the years.
"Gord has always been proud of two things in his life. The first being his native heritage and the second being a glazier. For years he's been writing a book, which I believe is in excess of 500 handwritten pages, outlining his life as a glazier with native roots. I hope to someday read Gord's book because, based on some of the stories he's told me over the years, it will be a hell of a read!" he says.
Looking back on his 36-year career, Fleming says the glazing trade has provided him with many rich experiences.
"It's been good to me," he says. "This trade opens a lot of doors to other opportunities, economically and spiritually."
The lucky apprentice who inherited Fleming's tools is Shayne Beauford, a first year glazing apprentice set to start courses at the Finishing Trades Institute of BC this May.
"It's pretty amazing. I would like to pass on the tradition when I retire. I'm sure that's what he would want," says Beauford.
In fact, Gordon Fleming has a challenge for all IUPAT retired glaziers about just that.
"I challenge other retired glaziers to pass their tools off to an apprentice," he says.
What an amazing gesture.
For a photo gallery of Gordon Fleming passing on his tools, please visit our Flickr gallery.
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