BY IRIS B. HOLTON
Sentinel City Editor
A tragic accident at a Florida has Port left a Tampa longshoreman dead. The accident took place around 9 a.m., Monday at Port Manatee in Manatee County.
According to a press release from the Manatee Sheriff’s Office, Mr. Robert “Dooley” Dixon, Jr., 48, was part of a crew of longshoremen unloading bananas from a ship. Dixon was reportedly walking across a loading area when he was pinned beneath a 5,500-pound crane basket. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
The Manatee County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the accident and has contacted the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) in reference to Mr. Dixon’s death.
A Tampa native, Mr. Dixon was the son of Robert Dixon, Sr., and the late Mrs. Betty (Thornton) Mack. He grew up in the Central Park Village Housing Complex. After graduating from Robinson High School in 1985, Mr. Dixon continued his education at Hillsborough Community College.
His wife, Mrs. Antoinette Dixon, said Mr. Dixon attended HCC for about a year he enlisted in the U. S. Army. After serving his country for 10 years, he returned to Tampa and obtained employment with the Veteran’s Administration. Two years later, he became a dockworker. Mrs. Dixon said her husband was not a member of a church, but visited different churches in the area. He was most recently visiting Heritage Christian Community Baptist Church.
Mr. Dixon was a member of the Prince Hall Free & Accepted Masons and was a sports enthusiast. “He loved all types of sports and could tell anything about sports,” Mrs. Dixon said.
In addition to his wife and father, Mr. Dixon is survived by 5 children, 4 brothers and 1 sister, and other family members and friends.
Funeral services for Mr. Dixon were incomplete at press time. However, Saturday, May 16th has been set as a tentative date. Wilson’s Funeral Home is in charge of handling arrangements.
According to Larry Coleman, a spokesperson for the International Longshoremen’s Association, Local 1402, said, “He was a member of the union and had worked at the Port of Manatee unloading vessels for the past six years. He was a hard worker and a loyal union member.” Coleman said.
ILA Local 1402 is an all-Black union of dockworkers organized by the late Perry C. Harvey. The organization received its charter in 1935. Mr. Harvey was succeeded by his son, Perry Harvey, Jr., until he became ill. James Harrell succeeded Mr. Harvey and is currently the president.
Approximately four years ago, under the guidance of the international body, Local 1402 and Local 1759 merged. The merger increased the size of the union to about 500 men and women.
