TWU cherishes its history and traditions, especially in this 75th anniversary year. But we’ve always taken a back seat to police officers and firefighters when it comes to multiple generations in the same occupation. Local 100 Retiree Robert Pustarfi, however, scores a few points for TWU’s side. He counts four generations of his family that have worked in New York City transit, starting with his grandfather Victor who helped build the 3rd Avenue Elevated Train. Robert’s father William began as a trolley operator, moving to bus operator and then dispatcher before his retirement.

Robert said he wasn’t looking to be the third generation of Pustarfis to work in transit, despite his dad’s encouragement. “I had a great job with an electronics firm,” Robert said. “I was very satisfied, but then I saw too many heads roll at the company and I realized my dad was right about the need for job security.”

Robert became a Bus Maintainer A and Shop Steward at the East New York Depot in Brooklyn. His work as a Safety Rep for Local 100 was particularly rewarding, a role in which he made the job safer for fellow members.

“I loved the job; I hated to take the early retirement when it was offered in 1995,” he said, explaining that his wife Sandra’s health problems made it necessary for him to be home to help with the chores. With Sandra, Robert raised two daughters and a son in a Garden City, Long Island home built by her grandfather.

That son, Robert Jr., followed his dad into the transit life, albeit as a Track Worker. He is now a track supervisor for NYC Transit.

“There was always transit talk in our house,” Bob Jr. said. “My grandfather worked over 30 years in the system and received a beautiful plaque when he retired. So, maybe it was predetermined that I’d be in this job. “Dad always encouraged me.” “When I told him Transit was looking for track workers,” Bob Sr. recalls, “he said, ‘What do I know about tracks?’ and I explained that they would teach him what he needed to know.”

Bob Jr. is happy he took his father’s advice and enjoyed an especially rewarding day this February when he helped return a lost toddler on the No 7 train to his frantic mother. “That was a special day; it made me feel really good,” Bob Jr. said.

Will there be a fifth generation Pustarfi working New York’s subways and buses? Bob Jr.‘s two boys, at 9 and 5, are a bit young to contemplate careers, but another grandchild is 18 and already getting a nudge from grandpa. “I’m encouraging him,” Bob Sr. said, “It’s a great job.”