Longtime Maryland Racing Commissioner Ernest “Ernie” Grecco died December 13. He was 81.

Grecco, working at the time at Calvert Distilleries, became involved in the labor movement as a member of the United Food and Commercial Workers. He rose through the ranks to become the political director of the Metropolitan Baltimore Council AFL-CIO Unions and then for the Maryland State & District of Columbia AFL-CIO. 

Grecco subsequently became president of the Metropolitan Baltimore AFL-CIO Council, a role from which he retired in 2017. 

On the Racing Commission, Grecco took a special interest in the well-being of workers and in the status of Pimlico Race Course. Until health issues slowed him in recent years, he rarely missed a Commission meeting. On other days, he could often be found at Pimlico, playing the simulcast races.

Grecco was predeceased by his wife Dot and his two siblings, sister Virginia Cirillo and brother John Grecco. He is survived by his son Gary and daughter Nina Southan, their spouses, four grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be held on Saturday, December 16, 2023 from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM and from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM at the Eline Funeral Home at 2901 Bloom Rd, Finksburg, MD 21048. A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, January 6, 2024 at 11:00 AM at the LifePoint Church at 1701 Emory Rd, Reisterstown, MD 21136.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made in his honor to the outreach youth ministry his son, Gary, leads, Youth for Christ, PO Box 1, Hampstead, MD 21074, or online at http://www.masondixonyfc.org.

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