BALTIMORE, MD (July 14, 2026) Horace T. Alston, a prominent ILA leader for decades at the Port of Baltimore, Maryland, passed away last week on July 9, 2026, just three months shy of his 90th Birthday. He served as International ILA Vice President from 1985 to his retirement in 2011. He held various positions with his home ILA Local 333 in Baltimore.
“Horace T. Alston will be remembered as one of the most respected and intelligent union officers to serve the ILA, said International ILA President Harold J. Daggett. “His accomplishments representing ILA members in the Port of Baltimore were vast. He was a man of great integrity who fought tirelessly to improve conditions for the ILA members he represented.”
Horace Thomas Alston, the son of the late Allen Winston and Mariah Williams Alston, was born on October 8, 1936, in Franklin County, North Carolina. He departed this earthly life on Thursday, July 9, 2026, at Brightview Assisted Living and Memory Care Facility in Catonsville, Maryland.
Alston was the oldest of ten children. His brother, Harvey A. “Red” Alston, and his sister, Annie A. Scott, preceded him in death. On May 3, 1967, Horace married the late Bernice Bryan-Alston, his soul mate and best friend for 52 years.
Alston was educated at Perry’s High School in Louisburg, North Carolina. He joined Perry’s Missionary Baptist Church and remained there until he relocated to Baltimore, Maryland. In later years, he became a disciple of Shiloh Christian Community Church, where he served as a choir member, a Deacon, and in many other ministries. Alston enjoyed being a member of Shiloh Christian Community Church. He faithfully served as a Past Worshipful Master of Linwood Koger No. 21 under the Hiram Grand Lodge, leading with integrity, devotion, and a deep commitment to the principles of Masonry. He further demonstrated his commitment to community service through his work with Baltimore’s NAACP, assisting with voter registration initiatives that strengthened civic participation and ensured members of his community had the opportunity to make their voices heard.
Alston enlisted in the United States Army in 1955. After his tour of duty, he moved to Baltimore. In 1963, he began his waterfront career in the ship’s hold. Throughout his waterfront career, he held various positions, including crane operator and gang carrier. He became a shop steward six years after being hired, and his belief in fair wages and steady jobs led him to join the union. In 1962, Alson became a full-time union leader as recording secretary for ILA Local 333, and in 1984 he was named Atlantic Coast District Vice President.
In January 1985, he was appointed International Vice President by the International Longshoremen’s Association. As a union leader, he worked closely with the Port of Baltimore’s administration to ensure fair wages and safe working conditions. He frequently testified alongside Congresswoman Helen Bentley on Maryland port expansion and shipping projects. Horace strongly believed that the Port of Baltimore was the economic engine of Maryland. Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, he teamed up with Congresswoman Bentley to fight for government funding and oppose foreign shipping monopolies, helping ensure that local dockworkers had steady jobs.
In 1999, Alston was instrumental in negotiating upgrades to the Port of Baltimore. During his career as a longshoreman leader, he played an important part in fighting for legislation to dredge the channel at the Port of Baltimore. Alston loved his work and serving the men and women who worked on the waterfront. After five decades, Alston retired from the International Longshoremen’s Association in 2013.
Horace Alson leaves to cherish his memory two daughters, Kim Dixon and Vanessa Jones (James); two grandsons, Joshua Mason (Alyssa) and Jarred Jones; and two great-grandchildren, Jackson and Aliyana. He is also remembered by two sisters, Olivia A. Gupton and Donna A. Wardrick, both of Louisburg, North Carolina; five brothers, Ervin Alston (June), Melvin Alston, Roosevelt Alston (Parthenia), all of Louisburg, North Carolina, Danny Alston of San Antonio, Texas, and Mickey Alston (Felice) of Garner, North Carolina; three bonus sisters, Clara A. Fogg of Franklinton, North Carolina, Vicie A. Walker of Louisburg, North Carolina, and Carla J. Walker of Raleigh, North Carolina; a devoted caregiver, Paula Jones; a devoted niece, Jackie D. Gupton; one aunt, Josephine Williams of Baltimore, Maryland; and a host of other nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
Funeral Services for Horace Alston will be held at Shiloh Christian Community Church, 825 Yale Avenue, Baltimore, Maryland from 11 am until 12 pm.