A Message from the Executive Director
with the nuts and bolts of anything mechanical, and he was constantly looking at how to improve things. He was known for modernizing the equipment and striving to find ways to make the mine more efficient, and was always drafting new blueprints and tinkering with machines until he was satisfied. And when he was satisfied, he started a new project. At the celebration, a roving microphone was passed and countless attendees shared memories of Joe’s generosity, kindness, respect for others and infectious humor. Longtime Healy resident Judy Hundrup made a comment that I’ve thought of several times since I heard it. She said, “I am so thankful to my husband for marrying me and bringing me to this community.” In this case, community takes on a whole new meaning: tight- knit Healy, centered around Usibelli Coal Mine, full of residents and businesses that depend on it, have a deep appreciation of the mine’s contributions. It’s a success story that we know started at the top: with Joe’s leadership, and continues today. I hope you enjoy reading more in this issue about this amazing man, who did much for Alaska, as his family continues to do.
Dear Alaska Miners: I’m penning this column the morning after attending the Celebration of Life for Joe E. Usibelli Sr. in Healy. You will see much of this issue dedicated to this legend of our industry that we lost in May, and after the memories shared over the past week, it’s very easy to see why. In my 10 years at AMA, I only met Joe once, and never had the honor to spend any significant length of time with him. But listening to the person being described by family, friends, workers and members of the community warmed my heart and made me feel like I knew him. Joe Usibelli Jr. welcomed us all and made us laugh about how they both liked to be called Joe. Upon meeting them both, employees would ask, “What do we call you?” And both said “Joe.” Apparently Joe Sr., in fact, hated to be called “Senior.” Thank God I never learned this the hard way. Joe’s grandson, Nathan, did an extraordinary job telling stories from the family about the impact Joe had on his loved ones. We laughed through the story of him dropping his high school kids off at a dance and returning with a sound meter to prove the music decibels were too loud. They talked about his keen sense of humor and love of puns, affectionately terming it “punishment.”
We learned about his military service and his takeover of Usibelli Coal Mine at a very young age after his father’s death. We heard humble clips of him in an interview saying, “I should apologize to all of those people I worked with those first two years; I had no idea what I was doing.” He boasted about the team at the mine and how they were so highly talented he didn’t even really need to be there. At his celebration of life, and really any time looking at Joe’s life, you hear it repeated how highly intelligent he was. He was known to be an engineer and was obsessed AMA Executive Director Deantha Skibinski and Joe Usibelli Jr. at Mining Day at the Tanana Valley Fair.
Deantha Skibinski, Executive Director
Executive Board Bartly Kleven, President Lorali Simon, First Vice President Blake Bogart, Second Vice President Kim Aasand, Treasurer
Branch Chairmen Ted Hawley, Anchorage
The Alaska Miner is the official journal of the Alaska Miners Association, published eight times a year exclusively to our members.
Rich Sivils, Denali Ken Hall, Fairbanks Liz Cornejo, Haines Jim Clark, Juneau Houston Morris, Kenai Ken Hughes, Nome Robert Fithian, Ketchikan/Prince of Wales
It is published in partnership with the Alaska Miners Association by Fireweed Strategies LLC, 4849 Potter Crest Circle, Anchorage, AK 99516.
We actively seek contributions from our members and the mining industry. Please email story ideas and photos to Lee Leschper. Advertising Rates and New Tips For advertising information, or to submit news, story ideas and photos, call or email Lee Leschper at 907-957-6025 or Lee.Leschper@FireweedStrategies.com Alaska Miners Association Staff Deantha Skibinski, Executive Director Jennifer Luiten, Membership and Fundraising Director Darlene Strickland, Bookkeeper/Membership
Committee Chairmen Kevin Adler, Convention
Follow us anytime: Online at AlaskaMiners.org Like us on Facebook at Alaska Miners Association Follow us on Twitter @alaskaminers
Howard Grey and JP Tangen, Federal Oversight Mike Satre and Lorali Simon, State Oversight
www.alaskaminers.org I The Alaska Miner I August 2022
3
Made with FlippingBook. PDF to flipbook with ease