Amid this epic battle against fascism and in the wake of Oct. 18, the largest protest in US history, I wanted to take a moment to remember and celebrate the life of a friend and comrade who died recently - Bruce Bostick.

My deepest condolences go out to Bruce's family. Others have written about him, and I'm sure his family, friends, and comrades will continue to share memories.

I got to know Bruce right out of college when I joined the CPUSA and was a community organizer in Cleveland, Ohio. Bruce, a Midwesterner through and through, was radicalized by his involvement in the anti-Vietnam War movement. In the early 1970s, he was already a young, experienced trade union activist at US Steel in Lorain, OH, and one of the leaders of the growing rank and file movement that was trying to transform the United Steelworkers of America into a fighting union. That movement played an important role in changing the USWA and the AFL-CIO.

Bruce became a rank-and-file leader and a shop steward and honed his writing skills as a correspondent for the rank-and-file newsletter. After the mill closed, Bruce fought with other steelworkers to get their pensions, which the company had stolen, helped organize labor-community coalitions through Jobs with Justice, became a leader of the Steelworkers Organization of Active Retirees, and ultimately became a leader of retired trade unionists in the Columbus region.

Bruce understood clearly what was at stake in the fight against right-wing extremism and MAGA fascism. He believed in broad tactics that united millions and hated sectarianism. He was active in every single election, legislative, and referendum fight in Ohio, especially mobilizing Labor's vote. Bruce knew and was respected by state and local elected officials and labor leaders, which was evident with the accolades delivered at his 75th birthday celebration organized by People’s World.

Bruce was a working-class intellectual, a historian, especially interested in the Civil War and abolitionism, an avid reader, and a lover of music and culture. He became an excellent writer, writing clearly about strategy and tactics and sharing countless experiences from his own activism, the mass democratic movements, and US history. Bruce was an avid sports fan and was fanatical about all the Ohio teams, especially the Browns (he was deeply versed in Browns history and a leader of the movement to regain an NFL franchise), Guardians, and Cavaliers. Nothing made him happier than when his beloved Ohio State Buckeyes won the National Championship last year, and nothing frustrated him more than the losing ways of the Cleveland Browns.

Bruce suffered terribly from the aftereffects of a spinal infection, which required surgery and the removal of discs, leaving him unable to walk without crutches.

Bruce made his mark in this world. His body may have given out, but his fighting spirit was never vanquished. He leaves behind an extraordinary legacy for the rest of us to draw inspiration and sustenance. Bruce would urge us never to give up or obey in advance. Victory over MAGA fascism and its billionaire backers lies in broad, multi-racial, multi-gender unity. Bruce Bostick lives!

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Editor's Note: Bruce Bostick occasionally wrote labor articles for the Columbus Free Press. His obituary can be found here.