John Justin (Colchamiro)

[from a book by JH & JK:]

After arriving in the US, Jess went to work. He worked for his Uncle Isaac in the hat business.

Jesse Colchamiro enlisted to fight during World War II, as did his brother Leon. Jesse served in Europe/Africa and although war is never fun, did manage to squeeze in some good times. One such time was when he had the opportunity to serve in Casablanca, Morocco. There he was able to visit some long lost relatives he had on his mother's side of the family: his aunt Rosina Sabethai (Eliezer) and her two sons, Tellie (Israel), who was working as the principal of the Alliance Israelite Universaire, and Hairlie, working as his assistant, as well as Tellie's little son Leon.

When he returned from the war, Jess worked for the Labor Commissioner in Pennsylvania. He also did organizational work for the Unions. Jess was always concerned with problems people had and would try to help them work things out.

[JBA:]

Jesse Colchamiro was known as John Justin, and we all called him "Uncle John". He changed his name to sound more American. He told people he was from Boston (to explain his accent) and even insisted that his obituary say that he was born in Boston. Since he came to America as a teenager, it must have been a greater challenge for him to assimilate to the new country than it was for the younger children, which perhaps can explain this extra effort on his part.

He was active throughout his life with the unions, and I can remember seeing various items marked with the ILGWU (international ladies garment workers union) label when I was growing up.

My grandfather Louis, John's brother, told me a very humorous story about how he and John went to work for his uncle, and they ended up organizing the workers to strike. My grandfather thought this was very cheeky of Uncle John. (I now realize that the uncle in question was Isaac Eliezer. Perhaps this explains why he does not appear in any family photos that I have seen, although he lived in the Bronx and he was the only sibling of John's mother Steroula living in the US.) He also told me how they went into Harlem to try to help organize the African-American workers, speaking on soap boxes during the Great Depression. There is also a picture I have seen of Uncle John with Martin Luther King, which would be great to dig up and post here.

Uncle John was active his entire life, and always lived on his own, in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, right up to the last day of his life. We are not 100% sure of his age, but he was probably around 98 years old when he died. He had eaten breakfast with a friend at a local diner, as he always did, then complained he did not feel well, and went back to his apartment to take a nap.

[from John's obituary:]

John Justin was born on Dec. 31, 1908, in Boston, Mass. He arrived in Pennsylvania as a young man after completing his education in New York City.

Pennsylvania had been his home since 1937. Mr. Justin served in the U.S. Army for four-and-a-half years as a staff sergeant during World War II. For his service, he received the Good Conduct Medal, World War II Victory Ribbon, American Theater Ribbon and the European-African Middle-Eastern Theater Ribbon. John joined the International Ladies Garment Workers Union in 1937 in Harrisburg as a regional organizer. His tireless energy and excellent speaking and negotiating skills served the union well. After his honorable discharge from the Army, he resumed service with the union and continued his career with it for 40 years. Although his official retirement was in 1977, he continued his involvement with the union even after that date. Mr. Justin also had been actively involved in various community projects, as well as being a member of the American Legion. He was preceded in death by his parents and large family of brothers and sisters. Surviving are many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews, who remember him fondly as very personable, gregarious, generous and fun to be with.Uncle John was a wonderful storyteller of family, union and civic history. He was always sharp, current and incisive in his views. He was a member of the Cremation Society of Pennsylvania in Harrisburg and requested there be no funeral. A memorial service was held at the convenience of the family. Contributions in Mr. Justin's memory may be made to the Interfaith Resource Center for Peace and Justice, 71 N. Franklin St., Wilkes-Barre, PA 18701. This is a most valued group of which Mr. Justin was an active member since its inception. John Justin, Uncle John, will be greatly missed by his family and friends. He was truly one of a kind, a gentleman who always demonstrated his love of family and country.