Lester “Les” Singer, former Teamsters Central Region Vice President, passed away on May 10, 2026.
Singer began his Teamsters career in 1963 as a driver for Coca-Cola. Several years later, he served as a business agent and as Vice President of Teamsters Local 20 in Toledo, Ohio — positions he held from 1978 until 1992. Singer continued to advance in Teamsters leadership, getting elected President of Local 20, President of the Ohio Conference of Teamsters, and President of Teamsters Joint Council 44, all from 1992 until 2003.
He later served for a decade as an International Vice President, from 1997 until 2007.
While serving as president of the Ohio Conference of Teamsters — representing 90,000 members — Singer played an instrumental role in establishing the state’s strike fund. As an International Vice President, re-establishing the International Union’s strike fund and strengthening organizing programs nationwide were his top priorities.
Singer was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. He and his wife were passionate advocates for the work of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, raising over a million dollars in charitable contributions. No services are currently scheduled, per Singer’s wishes, but memorial contributions in his memory can be made to St. Jude.
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