ILLINOIS — Laborer’s Local 773 officials have confirmed that Edward M. Smith, the retired CEO and president, has died.

Smith joined Ullico in 2007 as executive vice president. He served as president before being promoted to CEO in 2011.

Smith had a long, distinguished career with the Laborers’ International Union of North America. After joining LiUNA at age 13, he was elected business manager of Laborer’s Local 773 at age 21.

Smith later became International Union Vice President and Midwest Regional Manager. He also served as assistant to the general president.

Smith formerly served as chairman of the Illinois State Board of Investment and National Alliance for Fair Contracting and was a member of the Illinois Department of Labor Advisory Board. He also benefitted from the Therapy Center in Carterville, the Shawnee College Foundation in Ullin, and the Connell F. Smith Homer Brown Scholarship Fund in Marion.

Smith graduated from Shawnee College in 1974 with an Associate of Arts degree. He was the first member of LiUNA to graduate from the National Labor College with a bachelor’s degree.

Smith went on to graduate from the Harvard University Trade Union Program.

He was a board member of the National Coordinating Committee for Multiemployer Plans, Laborers’ Charitable Foundation, Laborers CARE, America’s Agenda-Healthcare for All, and a trustee for the AFL-CIO Staff Retirement Plan.

Friends and colleagues were shocked at the news of his death.

"He had a heart for people. I just loved him so much," longtime friend Glenn Poshard said. "I’m in shock. We’ve lost one of the really great leaders of Southern Illinois."

Poshard said Smith always tried to help people. Smith’s father would ask every evening who they had helped that day. If the family could not name someone, Smith’s father would go out that evening to help someone. Poshard said it became a way of life for Smith.

He said Smith was responsible for the charitable work of Laborers’ Local 773, which covers not only Southern Illinois but the entire state.

Poshard said he had been sick for a while and was in isolation. That meant he was not able to visit with Smith.

Brent Gentry had known Smith for about 20 years.

"I—I always felt like the guy would do anything for anybody. He was a guy you could talk to as—to a father figure," Gentry said.

Funeral services were not available at press time.