Hi,
Yes, I know how that works. Stories get passed down and manage to get mangled over the years. As a teamster, I doubt if there was much paperwork involved. His name would have beeen struck off the payroll and any equipment returned. He was probably dumped in a shallow grave and time took over. Still there MIGHT be someone out there with some letters. diary or otherwise that might shed some clues. Maybe there is a record of his widow receiving his last pay or ????