Texas Unions Remember Seafarers International Union VP Dean Corgey

HOUSTON — Today, Texas unions in the Gulf Coast region and across the state remember Seafarers International Union (SIU) Vice President Dean Corgey, who passed away unexpectedly in late May. Corgey began working for SIU in Houston in 1973, working his way up the ranks until 1990, when he assumed the role of vice president for the Gulf Coast region. Corgey held the position until his passing, and also served as an Executive Board Vice President for the Texas AFL-CIO.

“Dean Corgey served his fellow workers honorably and passionately for over fifty years. He dedicated his entire career to maritime workers in the Gulf Coast region, touching countless lives as he fought for better working conditions, fair pay, and real opportunity for workers,” said Texas AFL-CIO President Leonard Aguilar. “Texas labor unions keep his family in our thoughts and will never forget Dean’s contributions to this work.”

“Dean Corgey was a giant in Gulf Coast labor. He could always be counted on to fight for working people, be it on the shop floor, in bargaining with global shipping corporations, and as a Port Commissioner,” said Hany Khalil, Executive Director of the Texas Gulf Coast Area Labor Federation, AFL-CIO. “When Hurricane Maria devastated Puerto Rico in 2017, Dean mobilized Seafarers to deliver supplies to the island. He welcomed and mentored immigrant seafarers when state and federal officials were mounting deportation campaigns. Dean will be dearly missed by all who knew him and all those who will continue to benefit from his leadership for decades to come.”

For more on Dean Corgey’s life and illustrious career, please see the memorial statement from national SIU President David Heindel. Visitation, funeral, and burial services are scheduled for the afternoon of June 5, 2026, at Forest Park Lawndale Funeral Home in Houston. A reception at the Seafarers hall will follow the burial.

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The Texas AFL-CIO (American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations) is the state labor federation consisting of more than 250,000 affiliated union members and advocates for working people in Texas. Learn more at texasaflcio.org

The Texas Gulf Coast Area Labor Federation (TGCALF), AFL-CIO unites the power of 75 unions across 13 counties to advocate for working families in the Texas Gulf Coast, including over 50,000 workers in Harris County. We mobilize our members and community partners to demand a fair shot at better lives for all working people -- regardless of the color of our skin, which country we come from, or whom we love. Learn more: gcaflcio.org