Louis W. Rios

Louis W. Rios, who worked tirelessly for the safety and welfare of dock workers in the Los Angeles Harbor area, died after a short illness on October 17, 2010. He was 74. He worked as a longshoreman and clerk for some 30 years, and was a proud and dedicated member of Local 13 of the International Longshore and Warehouse Union. His fellow workers elected him to serve as president of Local 13. He also was a night dispatcher, business agent, and a member of the executive board, and constitution, dispatch rules, grievance and promotions committees. During his tenure as Local 13 president, Louis Rios negotiated with representatives of the state and federal governments to ensure that longshoremen handling produce sprayed with the pesticide Malathion during the 1981 medfly crisis were properly protected against the chemical. He was steadfast against tremendous governmental pressure and, in the end, prevailed. In retirement, he served on the local Veterans of Foreign Wars Chapter Honor Guard and regularly participated at graveside services to pay tribute to veterans. He served his country in the United States Marines Corps between 1953 and 1957. He was always the first to visit an injured fellow longshoreman in the hospital - and he was a compassionate, generous man whose sympathies were always with those in need. He will be greatly missed by a loving family. He is survived by his wife, Alicia Rios of Wilmington; daughters Delia M. Rios, Linda (Lloyd) Rios Johnson, Elizabeth Rios, Jana (Robert) Terrazas; sons, Robert McKenna, George (Betsy) Bartlett and Marc (Amy) Bartlett; and grandchildren, Miranda and Caitlin Johnson, Rock and Taryn Arvold, Roni Serrano, Natalie and Robert Terrazas, Kelsie, Alex and Billy Bartlett, and Noah, Jacob and Mya Bartlett. He also leaves behind sisters, Cecilia Deutsch and Rosemary Luera; as well as 11 nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents Luis and Elodia Rios, sister, Lillian Sapien, and daughter, Toni Arvold. Visitation is from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., Thursday, October 22, 2010 at All Souls Mortuary, 4400 Cherry Ave., Long Beach with a rosary following at 6:30 p.m. The funeral Mass is Friday, October 22 at 9:00 a.m. also at All Souls Mortuary, with burial following at All Souls Cemetery. To send the family a message, please visit the website at www.allsoulsmortuary.com.

All Souls Mortuary
(562) 424-8601
www.allsoulsmortuary.com