Members of ILWU Local 63 and pensioners lost a longtime leader on August 29 when Al Perisho passed at the age of 81 surrounded by his family at his Los Alamitos home.
Al Perisho was born on September 9, 1931, in Long Beach, California. He graduated from Banning High School in 1949 and became an Eagle Scout before shipping out with the Marines to serve in Korea. He returned to Long Beach and was working at an Army dock in 1953 when he met Myrtle Van Meter, the love of his life with whom he spent the next 59 years. Co-workers at the dock office took up a collection to help the new couple and the $15 they raised was enough for a Las Vegas wedding and honeymoon.
Perisho’s longshore career began in 1954 and continued for the next four decades. He quickly won local leadership elections and was recognized by Harry Bridges as a young man with talent. “Harry would stay with us at our home when he came down here, and he invited us to stay with them in Hawaii. Those experiences had a big impact on everyone in our family,” said Myrt Perisho, who noted that their children remain strong union supporters. The eldest son, Terry Perisho, is a pilot for American Airlines who is active in his union that’s fighting corporate greed and opposing a bankruptcy scheme designed to break the unions.
Perisho was elected by Local 63 members to serve four terms as President and 2 ½ terms as Secretary-Treasurer. In 1976, Perisho took a 6-year leave of absence from the union to accept an appointment as mediator for the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service. After retiring in 1994, Perisho continued his union activity and lived by the Pensioner’s creed: “retired from the job but not from the union!” Perisho was elected to leadership positions by his fellow Pensioners and served as President of the Southern California Pensioners Group. During his retired years, Perisho enjoyed meeting with young people and teaching them about unions. He accepted many invitations to lecture to high school and college classes about labor history and his experience working on the waterfront.
A service was held at the Longshoremen’s Memorial Hall in Wilmington on September 20th to celebrate Al Perisho’s life and his many contributions to the union. Local 13’s Victor Hudak presided at the affair, welcoming the family and friends who gathered, then turned to ILWU International Secretary-Treasurer
Willie Adams who provided the eulogy along with condolences and regards from the International officers – and encouragement for everyone present to celebrate Perisho’s life and follow his example of leadership. Adams smiled as he told a story about first meeting Perisho twenty years ago on a trip with ILWU members to Cuba. “Several years later,” explained Adams, “Al tried to talk me out of running for International office, but I decided to go ahead, and we both maintained our respect and friendship. He loved the ILWU and was passionate about the Southern California pensioners,” said Adams.
Testimonials followed from longtime friend Manny Ortega, poet andco-worker Jerry Brady, Southern California Pensioner President Penne Lavery, Auxiliary #8 President Ida Taylor, Local 63 President Mike Podue, and former Local 94 President George Gilbert. Teamster official Patrick Kelly offered his respects, noting that Perisho always made an effort to work with other unions, despite occasional conflicts between the ILWU, Teamsters and other unions.
The memorial service closed with a poignant slide show that revealed how much time and effort Perisho devoted to raising his family, fishing and backpacking in the High Sierras, and donating his “extra” time to the Red Cross and other worthy causes – in addition to his devotion the ILWU. His many community contributions earned him “Man of the Year” awards from the City of Los Alamitos, the Los Angeles/Long Beach Harbor and the Southern California Pensioners Group. Perisho is survived by his wife Myrt; daughter Cheri Phillips, sons Terry and Jack Perisho, grandchildren Shaun, Christy, Jake, Jacquie and his brother Tom Harvey.