Donald A. Brisky
After a brief illness, Donald A. “Put on” Brisky passed away peacefully at home on Thursday, December 28, 2023.
Don has been a union activist for 48 years. First as leader of United Steelworkers Local 6599 at Roblin Steel as Chairman of the Safety and Health Committee, the Negotiating Committee and also the Local Union Production Incentive Committee. Long-time administrator and member of the political action committee of the Dunkirk Region Labor Council, Steelworkers and CSEA.
Don was elected municipal councilor for the city of Dunkirk from 1986 to 1990. He played a key role in the formation of the union-management committee of the city of Dunkirk. Donald was president of New York State Department of Transportation Local 514, based in Erie County. He was selected to the CSEA NYS DOT Labor Management Committee for all of New York State. He also served on the CSEA Region 6 Political Action Committee and chaired the CSEA Region 6 Audit Committee. Don was a certified union advisor. His proudest accomplishment in the labor movement was that he and CSEA Region 6 staff, Flo Tripi, President, formed the first and only self-managed labor team at the NYS DOT Sign Shop in County Erie. Without any management level in the building, he worked closely with Congressman Dick Smith (D) and Senator Cathy Young (R) to create a record-breaking production facility at the Hamburg DOT Sign Making Shop . He was elected team leader by the employees and members of the CSEA of the establishment. He also worked with Congressman Smith and Senator Young to pass legislation authorizing the creation of traffic control signs for all municipalities in New York State, which allowed New York State to save large amounts of money. He served as treasurer and past president of Chautauqua County CSEA NYS DOT Local 509. Don was currently the Executive Vice President of CSEA Retiree Unit 3.
Don was a life member of the First Ward Falcon Club, the Moniuszko Club and Dom Polski. He was a member of the Fourth Ward Falcons Club, the Kosciuszko Club and the Exempt Firefighters Association. He enjoyed being a member of the NYS DOT Breakfast Club and the Roblin Steel Breakfast Club. Don remained involved in the American labor movement. He was a board member of Workers Memorial. He was an active member of the SOAR 4-1 USW Retirees in the town of Dunkirk.
Don has been married to his wife Donna for 48 years. He has two children, his daughter Denise Freeman married to Ryan and his son Dennis Brisky. He has two grandchildren, Alaina and Jake Freeman. He has two sisters ; Sandra (Larry) Jackson and Joan (Louie) Logan. His love and support for his family and friends is immeasurable.
We will miss him very much. Friends and family are invited to attend calling hours Thursday from 4 to 7 p.m. at McGraw-Kowal Funeral Home. A Christian funeral mass will take place at the Bienheureuse-Marie-Angèle church in Saint-Hyacinthe on Friday at 10 a.m.