Theodore Drake Alston

Theodore Drake Alston also known to many as “Buddy” or “Ted” was born on Sunday, November 27, 1955, to the late Wesley D. Alston Sr.  and Susie (Singletary) Alston. He departed this life unexpectedly on September 5, 2025.

Buddy/ Ted grew up in Roxbury, Massachusetts as the 7th of 10 children and attended Boston Public Schools.  His varied interests included: cars, science fiction, building model cars, collecting reading materials, and listening to early 70’s music.  

As a teenager in the late 1960s and early 1970s he and a tight group of neighborhood friends formed a singing group inspired by the legendary Temptations (as so many urban young men of color did at this time).  They took to local talent shows with matching outfits and slick dance moves and what they may have lacked in pitch, they made up for in passion and forming memories and friendships.  While Motown never called, the memories and laughter this sparked became a cherished part of his life’s story.

As a younger man, he also enjoyed a career as a taxi driver for ITOA and other cab companies in and around Boston.

He was very patient with younger children, and he taught some of his nieces and nephews how to ride a bike and read coordinates on a map.  All the children in the family were drawn to him and loved being in his presence. Even through his challenges, he was always concerned with the well-being of his family.

Although life did present him with challenges, he faced them with quiet strength and unwavering dignity. His caregivers have mentioned that he had a unique way of connecting with people, often without saying much, but simply through his presence, his smile, or gestures and courteousness.

Buddy loved his “hood” and enjoyed walking throughout his community frequently.  He lived a life which was very connected to his family and has left a legacy for which we have countless memories. 

He leaves many loved ones to celebrate his memory: Sisters: Betsy Gross (Kissimmee, Florida), Patricia Riddick (Boston, MA), Gail Williams (Boston, MA), Susan McCorkle (Randolph, MA), Leslie Smart (Christopher, Framingham, MA). Brothers: Byron Alston (Odessa, Boston, MA), Wesley D. Alston, Jr. (Boston, MA). He was predeceased by brothers, Ernest King and Donald King.

He also leaves a host of nieces, nephews, and extended family to share in this memory celebration.

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