Hector Joseph D'Alesandro died in 1995 at the age of 65.
D'Alesandro, a retired court clerk whose father and brother were mayors of Baltimore and whose sister is a congressman, died early Saturday of cancer at his parents' home in Little Italy.He was 60 years old.
Mr. D'Alesandro worked in the Baltimore City Circuit Court's Office of the Clerk for 38 years.He retired in 1993.
Mr. D'Alesandro's family name has become synonymous with politics.
His father, Thomas "Big Tommy" D'Alesandro Jr., was the legendary mayor of Baltimore from 1947 to 1959 and served multiple terms in the House of Representatives.Mr. D'Alesandro died in 1987.Thomas D'Alesandro III was the mayor from 1967 to 1971.
Nancy D'Alesandro Pelosi is his sister.
Thomas D'Alesandro III said that his brother never liked the public life.He was a lonely man.
Thomas D'Alesandro III said that his brother died of pneumonia when he was three years old.
Thomas D'Alesandro III said that he thought of becoming a priest when he was at St. Charles Seminary.
Marvin Ellin, a malpractice trial lawyer who met him 30 years ago, said that Mr. D'Alesandro chose to work at the courthouse where he befriended many judges and lawyers.
Mr. Ellin said that the judges with whom he worked respected his knowledge of people.He was a very knowledgeable person when it came to evaluating a trial.When it came to predicting the outcome of a case, he was usually right.
Mr. D'Alesandro didn't want people to recognize him because of his father and brother.
Mr. Ellin said that when his father was the mayor, he wouldn't use his last name.I have a lot of respect for him.
D'Alesandro was diagnosed with cancer three months after he retired.His brother said that he did all he could to have a good life.
Thomas D'Alesandro III said that it was only a matter of time before he died.He couldn't compete because he was a brave fighter.
Mr. D'Alesandro said his brother ate a plate of rigatoni before he went to bed.Thomas D'Alesandro III said that he died in the arms of two of his brothers.
He said that the family has always been close.Even though we knew he had cancer and expected him to die, we never expected it to come so soon.We are in a state of shock.