News Summary

MIDDLETOWN — As the 104 names of the Middletown Works union members killed on the job since 1903 were read and a candle lit in honor of each one during a solemn ceremony, Paul Corrill closed his eyes to picture each deceased's loved ones.

He envisioned the steelworker and his family. When one of the names — James Michael Corrill — was quietly called, the portrait looked familiar.

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Gail and Paul Corrill (left) and Ed DeVault listen as the names of 104 Middletown Works employees who have died at the steel mill since 1903 are read. The Workers, Memorial Day Tribute was held Monday, April 28, at the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers Local Lodge 1943 that represents hourly workers at the Middletown plant.Click to enlarge

Tom Sorrell lights a candle during the Workers' Memorial Day Tribute ceremony at the Crawford Street union hall for 104 Middletown Works union employees who lost their lives at the steel mill.Click to enlarge

Columnist Rick McCrabbClick to enlarge

Michael Corrill, whose father and three brothers worked in the Middletown steel mill, was killed in the coke plant Oct. 12, 1993.

His brother, Paul Corrill, 54, retired from AK Steel Corp. in 2002 after 30 years. Paul said it was important for him to attend the tribute held Monday, April 28, at the International

Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers Local Lodge 1943 union hall.

"We can't forget these guys," Paul Corrill said.

Corrill said it seems like his brother died "just yesterday," not 15 years ago. He saved the newspaper articles chronicling his brother's death, but he hasn't brought himself to read them.

"It's still painful," he said.

Another brother, Bill, who works at AK Steel, proudly mentioned that Michael Corrill served in the Vietnam War.

Then Paul Corrill said: "He got out of Vietnam alive. He just couldn't get out of AK."

The Corrills weren't alone in their pain. Ralph Jones, whose son Ralph E. Jones was killed in 2003 at AK, attended the tribute to honor his son.

Jones, 41, was killed when a crane block fell on the forklift he was driving, breaking his neck and killing him instantly, his father said.

His father, who worked at the steel mill for 31 years, said he blames no one or the company for his son's death.

"It was one of those things that happen," his father said after Monday's service. "It's dangerous in there, and accidents are bound to happen."

Jones prefers to rely on his faith.

"God knows best," he said. "There's no sense in questioning the Lord."

He also takes solace in knowing his son died surrounded by fellow steelworkers — his best friends.

"It's comforting to know how much he was loved out here," he said.

Contact this columnist at (513) 705-2842 or rmccrabb@coxohio.com.

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