Leo Hoenig, a founder of the UFT and longtime active member of the Retired Teachers Chapter, died on June 3 at age 86.

“From his earliest days as a teacher in 1958, two years before the 1960 strike, Leo Hoenig was always a staunch unionist,” UFT President Michael Mulgrew said at the dedication ceremony in 2019 when Hoenig’s name was added to the Wall of Honor at UFT headquarters.

Hoenig taught social studies and journalism at JHS 168 in District 25 in Fresh Meadows, Queens, for 33 years. He also was a chapter leader for 23 years and led every strike in his district, attended every union rally, worked phone banks, lobbied in Albany and regularly attended the union’s Delegate Assembly meetings from 1958 until not long before he died.

“Leo was charismatic and generous with his time and stories,” said UFT District 25 Representative Lamar Hughes. “You always found yourself wanting to sit at his table. He told us stories of the early strikes — 1960, 1968 — and it gave me a background for understanding the union’s history.”

Hoenig was also interested in genealogy, and in retirement, he taught Si Beagle classes in genealogy.

To read the full tribute, go to the UFT Honors website .