A funeral service was held Nov. 28 for Mitchell Edward Holloway, 83, of Middletown, Del., formerly of Jersey City. He peacefully passed away at home on Nov. 21. He was the first born son of Reaner and Mitchell Edward Holloway Sr., of Jersey City. A self made man, Mitch began working at Swift and Company in Jersey City in 1944 where he became a member of Local 221 of the United Packinghouse Workers of America. Later he served as shop steward in that plant, thus beginning his career in organized labor. Mitch was recognized and appointed Chief Steward, and member of the Grievance Committee, the Board of Trustees and the Collective Bargaining Committee.
In 1959, Mitch transferred to Local 653 UPWA in Kearny, where he was again elected to the above positions; he continued his climb and was subsequently elected president of that union local. His leadership skills were recognized and he became area vice-president for district Council 6. There he became active in the civil rights movement and women’s activities committees holding the title of vice-president of those committees.
During the years when the Packinghouse Workers, Amalgamated Meat Cutters and Butcher Workmen’s International Unions were merged, Mitch headed a group of union locals which then became Local 653P. He continued as president until his local merged with Local 174 in 1984.
He was appointed director of NJ Operations after the merger. He later became president of UFCW Local 174 until his retirement in 2001. He was certified in union education training from Roosevelt University, Chicago UPWA-District 6 Organizing and Contract Negotiation Institute, AFL-CIO District 2 Grievance and Arbitration. He was a member of the Urban League, NAACP and NAACP Legal Defense Fund, Southern Poverty Law Center and served as an officer in the central northern chapter of the Coalition of Black Trade Unionist (CBTU).
Mitchell was married to Mary Jefferson for over 64 years. Mitchell leaves behind one daughter, Michele Holloway Burchell; three sons, Mitchell Jr. (Carole), Michael and Marc (Catherine), as well as seven grandchildren: Chandiss Dickerson (Warren), Leonard Burchell (Carolee), Jessica, Michael Jr., Mary, Meghan and Madison. Mitchell was predeceased in death by his sister Lucille Postel and brother Albert. Surviving siblings include Beatrice Mieldon of Jersey City, Bertha Moore of South Carolina, Reaner McClain and James of Jersey City. Services arranged by the Greenville Memorial Home, Jersey City.