Frank Regalado, a former business representative of Portland-based Elevator Constructors Local 23, died Jan. 10 following a battle with pancreatic cancer. He was 66.
Regalado served as business representative from 1997 to 2003, when he lost re-election and returned to the trade. The business rep is the only full-time elected position at the local, which represents nearly 300 workers who build and service elevators and escalators in Oregon and Southwest Washington.
Regalado was appointed interim business representative in 2007 following the resignation of then-business rep Mike Casely. Regalado was elected to a full three-year term in March 2008. He did not run for re-election when the term expired in March 2011. He again returned to the trade before retiring in June 2013.
Frank Regalado was born in Morenci, Ariz., on Sept. 19, 1951. His family moved to West Covina, Calif., where he graduated from Edgewood High School. In 1972 he joined Elevator Constructors Local 18 in Los Angeles, where he completed their apprenticeship program. He moved to Portland and joined Local 23 in 1982.
Regalado is survived by his wife, Darlene, four children, and six grandchildren.
Services will be held at Bateman Carroll Funeral Home, 520 W. Powell Blvd., Gresham. Viewing will be Feb. 2 from 2 to 7 p.m., with rosary at 6:30 p.m. Funeral mass will be held Feb. 3 at 1 p.m.
Frank was a man who truly wanted the best for his members at 23. Would do his best to do the right thing even, in some cases, at his own expense. Loved his family and his God. You will be missed my friend.
Jesse Bielefeld IUEC 81Retired. Peace