By Adam Studzinski

BLOOMINGTON – Paul Penn, who was business manager for Laborers Local 362 for more than two decades, died Thursday at the age of 90.

Penn was business manager from the 1950s to the early 1970s. Laborers spokesman Mike Matejka said Penn was the one who started the tradition of laborers doing a lot of community volunteer work.

“He was always out there in the middle of volunteer projects,” said Matejka. “Whether it was the World War II monument downtown (Bloomington), an agency that needed a sidewalk poured, whatever could be done.

“If somebody needed something, if you went to Paul Penn with a need he would make sure you were taken care of.”

Matejka reflected on one summer Penn spent leading a Women in the Trades training program.

“They did all their training and all their work at the Easter Seals camp, doing work there, and rehabbing, and doing activities at that place,” he said.

Matejka added Penn was a “kind, generous person” who stood up people people’s rights and didn’t make enemies in the process.

Adam Studzinski can be reached at [email protected].