William J. Kane, leader of United Auto Workers here

William J. Kane, a labor union leader in the Philadelphia region and beyond, was "a master of human kindness, fought for the rights of workers across the country during his career, and created loving bonds with everyone that he touched," labor lawyer Joseph T. Cleary said Monday.

Cleary, a partner at Cleary, Josem & Trigiani, is a lawyer for the Building and Construction Trades Council of Philadelphia and Vicinity.

"If you could sum up his philosophy of life to his children and his friends - and these are his words - 'Just be, embrace life, the negative and positive.'," Cleary said.

On Sunday, Oct. 19, Mr. Kane, 68, of Westwood, Bergen County, died of cancer at home.

Mr. Kane was New Jersey area director of Region Nine of the United Auto Workers from 1989 until he retired in 1997.

During several of the same years, he was secretary-treasurer of the New Jersey State Industrial Union Council from 1989 to 1994 and its president from 1994 to 2007.

Cleary said he had known Mr. Kane since they both worked for the former ITE Circuit Breaker Co. at 19th and Hamilton Streets.

"We both ran for shop steward and rose up through the ranks of the local together," Cleary said of UAW Local 1612.

"He was a very good friend," he said, long after Cleary went to law school and then represented Mr. Kane's UAW Region Nine.

Mr. Kane's wife, Darlene, said, "He strongly believed in the rights of the working people."

She said that "it was not uncommon for him to be in the forefront of the picket lines with the people who were arrested. He used to always be in that pile.

"He would say, 'I might not be home tonight.' "

Born in Philadelphia, Mr. Kane did not graduate from high school but earned his equivalency diploma while he was in the Army from 1962 to 1965, serving as an infantry paratrooper for a time on Okinawa.

While working as a wireman for ITE, Mr. Kane rose in UAW Local 1612 as a shop steward, executive committee member at large and bargaining committee member, Cleary said.

In 1982, Mr. Kane began his career as a full-time union leader, as a UAW international representative covering locals in New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania.

Besides his wife of 21 years, he is survived by son Michael; daughters Marissa, Jennifer Tucker, and Amy Gordon; a sister; and 10 grandchildren. He was predeceased by sons Joseph and Mark. He is also survived by former wives Maryann Kane and Barbara Rahke.

A visitation was set from 3 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 22, at the Becker Funeral Home, 219 Kinderkamack Rd., Westwood, N.J. 07675, with a funeral service set for 11 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 23 at the Lutheran Church of the Savior, 634 Forest Ave., Paramus, N.J.

Donations may be sent to www.woundedwarriorsproject.com.

Condolences may be offered to the family at the funeral home at the above address.

610-313-8134 @WNaedele