The CARRpenters Fund: Honoring a Legacy
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This month, our family said goodbye to a remarkable man — Lonnie G. Carr Sr., a loving husband, father, grandfather, and a proud union carpenter who spent his life building the bridges and skyscrapers that define Chicago’s skyline. Lonnie was more than a builder — he was part of a legacy. As a lifelong member of the Illinois Carpenters Union Local 10, he dedicated over 62 years to his craft. He followed in the footsteps of his father, Burris Carr, who served for 69 years, and passed the hammer to his son, Lonnie Jr., who is now in his 27th year as a union carpenter. That’s over 150 years of Carr family commitment to the trades — shaping not just structures, but a standard of hard work, mentorship, and pride in doing things the right way.
To honor this legacy, we’re launching The CARRpenters Fund — a memorial apprenticeship grant that will help young men and women pursue careers in carpentry through union training and mentorship. Whether it's help with tools, tuition, or the first set of boots, our mission is to ensure that new generations have the support they need to build something that lasts — just like Lonnie did.
The trades built America. But today, too many young people face barriers entering these careers — from rising costs to lack of support. By contributing to The CARRpenters Fund, you're investing in union apprenticeship scholarships, startup tool kits for first-year carpenters, and mentorship opportunities. This is a living tribute to the Carr family's legacy of building Chicago.
Donate any amount — every dollar helps build a future. Share this campaign with friends, tradespeople, and community leaders. Honor Lonnie’s legacy by helping the next generation of builders rise. In Lonnie’s memory, we aren’t just building with wood and steel — we’re building opportunity, pride, and purpose. Thank you for being part of this tribute to a life well lived and a future worth building.
— The Carr Family
To honor this legacy, we’re launching The CARRpenters Fund — a memorial apprenticeship grant that will help young men and women pursue careers in carpentry through union training and mentorship. Whether it's help with tools, tuition, or the first set of boots, our mission is to ensure that new generations have the support they need to build something that lasts — just like Lonnie did.
The trades built America. But today, too many young people face barriers entering these careers — from rising costs to lack of support. By contributing to The CARRpenters Fund, you're investing in union apprenticeship scholarships, startup tool kits for first-year carpenters, and mentorship opportunities. This is a living tribute to the Carr family's legacy of building Chicago.
Donate any amount — every dollar helps build a future. Share this campaign with friends, tradespeople, and community leaders. Honor Lonnie’s legacy by helping the next generation of builders rise. In Lonnie’s memory, we aren’t just building with wood and steel — we’re building opportunity, pride, and purpose. Thank you for being part of this tribute to a life well lived and a future worth building.
— The Carr Family
Organiser
Richard Carr
Organiser
Shorewood, IL