Popular Swampscott union official dies

SWAMPSCOTT – A well-known local union official and Town Meeting member died on Tuesday night.Carl Reardon, a former school employee, was a fixture at Town Meeting and in union halls.Reardon, who was the longtime president of Local 2610 of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees in Swampscott, represented the Town Hall and School Department clerical workers, the Department of Public Works and custodial workers. Several of his friends said he had a reputation for being a thorn in the side of town and school officials, but he always stood up for union workers.Attorney and fellow Town Meeting member William DiMento said it is fitting Reardon passed away at a union convention.”He was at a union convention so I know he died happy,” he said. “If there was ever a union man, Carl was it. I admired him for the way he would fight for the rights for the members of the union. He loved the town of Swampscott without question. He had the courage at Town Meeting to say what many people thought but didn’t have the courage to say. He was a force to be reckoned with in town government.”Cheryl Levenson, who is chapter chair of the Town Hall Employees Union, said she is devastated at Reardon’s passing.”I’m very sad and really going to miss him,” she said. “He always put other people first. He was one of those rare people that wanted to help anyone he could in any way he could. He represented an awful lot of people. It’s a terrible loss to the town.”Cheryl’s husband Paul Levenson, a former selectman, said Reardon was a formidable opponent when it came to collective bargaining.”Carl was a strong fighter for those who relied on his collective bargaining experience,” he said. “The death of Carl represents a very substantial loss to our town. Carl had an indomitable spirit, a quick mind and it will be very difficult to find his equal. He’ll be greatly missed.”Carole Shutzer, a former selectman and a member of the Friends of the Library, said Reardon worked hard for town employees and on behalf of the public library.”He brought an interesting perspective to many issues,” she said. “He was a fixture at Town Meeting and always offered his opinion. He’ll be missed.”Swampscott Education Association President Paul Maguire said he had a great working relationship with Reardon.”I’ve known him since I started in Swampscott in 1982,” he said. “As I got more into the union we had a good working relationship. He was a very funny guy and he’ll be missed.”Town Administrator Andrew Maylor said he is saddened by the loss of Reardon.”From a professional perspective, I admired and respected Carl’s passion and intensity when representing the interests of the Swampscott public employees of AFSCME,” he said. “At a personal level, I found his offbeat and candid style to be remarkably refreshing. I feel that a part of what makes Swampscott a special place has been lost. On behalf of the Board of Selectmen and myself I would like to extend my heartfelt sympathies to his family.”