All his life, James Tofflemire worked as a roofer. A 51-year member of Roofers and Waterproofers Local 49, he died in 2015 at age 81. So when his widow Bonnie discovered a roof leak at her home in Cornelius late last year, she reached out to her late husband’s union.
Given the condition of the roof, it was time for a replacement, not just another shingle layer. Local 49’s executive board voted to donate labor and pay for disposal. ABC Roofing lent the use of a dump truck. Tofflemire paid for union-made Malarkey asphalt shingles. On April 18, union member volunteers tore off the old roof, replaced rotted wood, added ice and water shield to the valleys and eaves, and installed the replacement shingles. Tofflemire, 92, thanked them with sandwiches and homemade chili.
