Frank Anthony Romero

Frank Anthony Romero, former National Organization Director of the American Postal Workers Union (APWU), AFL-CIO in Washington DC, loving husband, father, brother, uncle and friend to many, passed away at the age of 67 on July 28, 2021 in San Antonio, TX. 

Frank was born on August 22, 1953 in Gallup, New Mexico to Eva and Charles Romero.  He attended David W. Carter High School in Dallas, Texas before beginning his career with the United States Postal Service in 1975.  He started out as a Mail Handler, later moving into the Clerk Craft working in several positions at the Dallas Bulk Mail Center (BMC).  

Wanting to make a difference in the workplace, due to his concerns about the safety and health issues of his coworkers and management’s abusive behavior at the BMC facilities, Frank joined the American Postal Workers Union (APWU) believing he could make difference.

In 1976 he became a union steward, soon after being elected Clerk Craft Director of the BMC local before the merger with the Dallas Area Local. He then served as the Dallas, Texas Area Local BMC Director, Southern Region Advocate, and Chairman of the local’s organizing committee. In 1986, Frank was elected national Organization Director, beginning his tenure at APWU Headquarters in Washington, D.C. where he was successfully reelected to the position eight times with three elections unopposed. During his term, the APWU membership reached its highest level in history in 1988, with 299,000 members. He continued to serve as National Organization Director until his retirement in 2011.

Frank served as the APWU national headquarters’ liaison to the Labor Council for Latin American Advancement (LCLAA) and was a past president of the LCLAA D.C. Metro Chapter.

To Frank’s credit, it should be noted, that he was a recipient of the Vicki Carr Scholarship Foundation Grant and attended the El Centro & Mt. View Community Colleges, as well as the SMU Academy of Visual Communications in Dallas. As a union officer, he attended the University of Arkansas Industrial Research and Extension Center, and the George Meany Center for Labor Studies. He was the Dallas Area Local’s representative on the Dallas AFL-CIO Central Labor Council and assisted in various private sector organizing campaigns throughout the South.

Frank was an avid music lover and collector of memorabilia. His love of music and desire to be socially active led him to serve as a broadcaster, for many years, in Dallas, TX on KNON 89.3’s community radio show, “Latin Sounds USA”.  He also served as Co-producer of “AFL-CIO Speaks Out”, a television program on the Texas Qube Cable Public Access Network.

Throughout his lifetime Frank held fast to his passion for the Union, family, friends, music, art, books and all things that inspired and influenced him.  Frank was known for his kind and compassionate sprit, infectious smile and boisterous voice for the Union and his beliefs.

Frank was preceded in death by his mother Eva L. Romero.  He is survived by his wife of 21 years, Rosalinda Neri Romero, his father Charles Romero and wife Antonia, his son Richard Romero, his brothers Charles and wife Rachel Romero, James and wife Margaret Kailer Romero, Prescilliano Romero, David Romero, Stephen and wife Guillerma Romero, the children he helped raised Irene Gutierrez, Angela Guerrero, Alfredo “Freddy” Perez Jr., his sisters Veronica Salinas and Jackie Briseno, his former wife Elizabeth Romero and many cousins, nephews and nieces.

FUNERAL SERVICES

Visitation will begin on Monday, August 23, at 5:00 P.M. with a Rosary to be recited at 7:00 P.M. at the Angelus Chapel.  Funeral Mass will be offered on Tuesday, August 24, at 10:00 A.M. at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church.  Funeral Services will conclude at the church.