Hundreds Pay Tribute to Slain UPS Drivers at San Francisco Memorial
The son of one of the UPS drivers who was killed in last month’s shooting at a San Francisco distribution center said he still feels like he’s in a dream sometimes and he’ll wake up and see his dad.
Wayne Chan, 56, the father of 17-year-old Kyle Chan, was fixing a car for his son’s driving test, a repair he never finished. And now Kyle said he is grappling with going through life without his dad to guide him. His father will never see him graduate or teach him how to shave, Kyle said.
“I will always remember the things he taught me,” Kyle said. “Especially the driving instructions.”
Kyle spoke at a memorial at San Francisco City Hall on July 9, honoring the lives of the three UPS drivers — Wayne Chan; Michael Lefiti, 46; and Benson Louie, 50 — who were killed June 14 after a co-worker shot them at work.
The three were remembered by family, friends, co-workers and local leaders, including San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee and House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, as men who were dedicated to their jobs and willing to lend a helping hand. Many were surprised that the victims were the targets of the gunman, fellow UPS driver Jimmy Chanh Lam, who shot and killed himself after the rampage.
About 300 people attended the service, according to the slain men’s union, the Teamsters, which organized the event. Onlookers watched from the second floor of City Hall, where the event was held in front of the grand staircase. Photos of the men were displayed in front of the stairs along with flowers in the shape of a broken wheel, which symbolized the union’s loss.
Kyle Chan said in a speech at the memorial that his dad always looked out for his family.
“We came first with whatever he did,” Kyle said. “The best foods he gave to us. The best things he’d share with us.”
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Kyle said he recently passed his driving test, but his dad never finished repairing the car. The Teamsters said the union would fix the car for Kyle.
Michael Campino, a retired UPS employee who knew the victims, said when he heard about the shooting, his reaction was one he hadn’t felt since Sept. 11, 2001.
“It was horrible,” Campino said. “They were all great guys.”
San Francisco pays tribute to 3 men who died in UPS workplace shooting | @Teamsters @ibtrome https://t.co/VoHdZ05n9F — Doug Bloch (@TeamsterDoug) July 10, 2017
On the job, Campino said there were times when a customer was trying to give him an address over the phone and needed a translator. Even though Chan and Louie were busy, they were always willing to help translate, Campino said.
Few UPS drivers have gone back into the building on Potrero Hill where the shooting happened.
Lefiti, known as Big Mike, was remembered for his gregarious personality and willingness to go to sporting events with friends.
“Michael was the kind of guy who treated everybody as family,” said his friend Julia Martinez.
Hundreds pay tribute to slain @UPS drivers at City Hall memorial https://t.co/D3Yjobjt90 via @SFGate #Teamsters — Teamsters (@Teamsters) July 10, 2017
Louie was known as Uncle Benson to many and was passionate about volleyball, serving as a coach and player.
“All will be missed and not forgotten,” said Joseph Cilia, secretary-treasurer of Teamsters Local 2785 in San Francisco. “We will remember them for the great men that they were.”
