It is with a heavy heart and deep sadness that we announce the passing of a beloved member of our OPSEU/SEFPO family from COVID-19.
Just shy of his 63rd birthday, Roman Skots, a long-time LCBO employee, contracted the virus. After a month-long battle in the ICU, Roman sadly passed away on May 22.
A 21-year-veteran of the LCBO, Roman started his second career with the Crown Agency in 2000 as a casual part-timer. While he spent a good portion of his career at the Lakeshore and Second Street location in Etobicoke, most recently, he worked at the Burnhamthorpe Mall location as a permanent full-timer and member of OPSEU/SEFPO Local 5107.
A kind and gentle man, who colleagues remember as a steady and calming presence, Roman was someone you could always count on, for a helping hand and a smile. You only had to work with him once, and you’d never forget Roman. In fact, for years after his departure from the Lakeshore location, members of the community would still come asking about him.
Roman was a dedicated family man – a loving husband to Octavia and father to Andrew. Proud of his Ukrainian heritage, Roman was also an avid fisherman who enjoyed time out on his boat. He looked forward to retirement and spending more time with his family, who he cherished above all else.
To Roman’s family and fellow members at the LCBO, please know that our thoughts are with you during this incredibly difficult time. Front-line heroes, like Roman, put their health and their very lives on the line to serve this province and its people. It’s a sacrifice no worker should have to make.
As a union, we will continue to demand safer workplaces so that tragedies like this don’t happen.
We are here to support you, no matter what.
In solidarity,
Warren (Smokey) Thomas, OPSEU/SEFPO President
Eduardo (Eddy) Almeida, OPSEU/SEFPO First Vice-President/Treasurer
Colleen MacLeod, LBED Chair and President of OPSEU/SEFPO Local 5107